St. Lucia Business Focus 73

Issue No. 73

Jan/Feb 2014

35 years of www.stluciafocus.com www.stluciafocus.com

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BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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DELIVERING VALUE, INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIP TO BUSINESSES We needed a flexible state of the art Communications Platform to allow us to grow customers and meet the ever evolving customer requirements.

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Contact Digicel Business for further information or to schedule an appointment.

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DIGICELSTLUCIA.COM

No. 73

BF Jan/Feb 2014

CONTENTS 64

FEATURE

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63. 35 Years of Beachcomber Ltd.

REGULARS

04. Editor’s Focus

27. Book Reviews

06. Business Briefs

Economy & Trade Focus 28. Neal & Massy Acquires Control of CFL & Super J Supermarkets 30. Red Stripe Sells Shares in Caribbean Breweries for US$9.3 Million 32. Butch Stewart and Sandals Resorts Lead Regional Economic Revival

Business Tech 08. Microsoft Expands Azure Services to Brazil 12. LIME & NTRC Increase Public Telecommunications Access 14. St Lucia Government to Implement New ICT Project Money Matters 16. Caribbean Countries Feature High in Latest Corruption Index Ratings 18. Diaspora Could Play a Larger Role in Caribbean Development Says new World Bank Study 20. CIBC FirstCaribbean Names new Chairman 22. The Wonder of Compound Interest!

26. US$130M World Bank Loan for Jamaica

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40. Business Spotlight 48. Youth in Focus 44. Environmental Focus

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In The Know 52. St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Host 129th AGM 56. Caribbean Board Governance Training Institute (CGTI) to Launch in 2014 100. Tourism Focus 106. Major Moves 108. Events 2012

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109. New Company Registrations BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Happy New Year!!

Share the Care and Reach for the Stars.

Happy New Year to all of our Readers and Business Associates locally, regionally and online. We wish you every success in all of your personal and professional endeavours and look forward to your continued support as we bring a new series of Business Focus Magazines to you with the stories that drive business and at the same time chronicling the history of our commercial community in St Lucia.

2013 came to a disastrous close with the passage of a weather system on Christmas Eve resulting in the unfortunate loss of life and damage to property and national infrastructure caused by massive flooding, swollen rivers and landslides.

We sympathise with the grieving families and thank the Government, public and private sector and Lokesh Singh the utility companies for the efficient and speedy Publisher/Managing Editor action in putting the island back to business and bringing the affected communities back to a semblance of normalcy.

We share the national pride with the outpouring of humanitarian effort and corporate aid from our business and social partners.

Out of disaster comes opportunity. We hope that reconstruction efforts will result in increased employment and an improved economy leading into the New Year. This should serve as a great springboard for a successful year.

We look forward to the heightened interest and excitement of the 2014 St Lucia Chamber Business Awards. The great news is that there are a record number of submissions. May the stars of enterprise in 2013 shine brightly across the island and inspire many more to believe that they too can achieve great success despite the challenges along the way.

In this 73rd issue of Business Focus, we salute Mr David Devaux and his Team at Beachcomber Ltd - the leading light in the Automotive Sector in St Lucia and the OECS as they celebrate 35 years of operations. They have stood the test of time setting the highest standards and bringing to St Lucia some of the world’s best brands of vehicles supported by trained staff, superior service and modern technology all offered in an environmentally friendly and carefully manicured Beachcomber Park.

In this issue -- as in all -- BF also offers you interesting angles on everything from Money Matters to Business Briefs and Business Buzz. Trade and Economic matters affecting the nation and the region, a Focus on Tourism, the latest news in Environmental, Energy and IT matters involving businesses at home and abroad, matters of Health and Wellness and Major Moves by the Who’s Who of the country and the Caribbean.

Let’s turn the page and work towards a Successful Year of Business in 2014.

Happy Reading!

BUSINESSFOCUS Business Focus magazine is published every two months by Advertising & Marketing Services Limited (AMS), Saint Lucia.

Publisher / Managing Editor: Lokesh Singh lokesh@amsstlucia.com Graphic Designer: Cecil Sylvester Advertising Sales: Cennette Flavien - cennette@amsstlucia.com Hudson Myers - hudson@amsstlucia.com Webmaster: Advertising & Marketing Services Photography: Ashley Anzie | Cecil Sylvester | Stan Bishop Beachcomber Ltd. | St. Lucia Star St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Contributors: Lokesh Singh | Dee Lundy Charles | Stan Bishop Kerwin Xavier | Kezia Preville | Demerara Waves Michael Chastanet | Sea Island Cotton Shop Christine Charlemagne | St. Lucia Star Digicel | ECFH Group | Kirk Elliot Caribbean Journal | Lyndell Halliday | LIME Sandals Resorts | Trinidad Express St Lucia Tourist Board | Trinidad Guardian Jamaica Observer | Antigua Observer | Caribbean360 First Citizens Investment Services Editorial, Advertising, Design & Production: Advertising & Marketing Services P.O. Box 2003, Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: (758) 453-1149; Fax: (758) 453-1290 email: ams@candw.lc www.amsstlucia.com, www.stluciafocus.com Business Focus welcomes contributions from professionals or writers in specialized fields or areas of interest.

Reproduction of any material contained herein without written approval, constitutes a violation of copyright.

Business Focus reserves the right to determine the content of the publication.

Issue No. 73

Jan/Feb 2014

On The Cover: David Devaux Managing Director of Beachcomber Ltd. 35 years of www.s tluciaf www.stlu

ocus.c ciafocus .com om

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BUSINESS BRIEFS Cruisers has been hosted on Saint Lucia, the island has welcomed over 5,000 yachts to its shores with over 25,000 visitors during that same time period. Economically, the ARC contributes an average of $1.5 Million US dollars per year in terms of direct expenditure into the Saint Lucian economy.

Fast Cash Launches a New Branch Fast Cash launched a new branch at the JQ Mall in Rodney Bay on 6th January, 2014.

This is Fastcash’s fourth location on island.

The launch was indeed a success as the CEO, Michel Williams and COO Michael Archibald, joined the staff and specially invited guests to celebrate this great accomplishment. Not only did Fastcash launch its new Rodney Bay Branch in 2014, but it also launched FASTCASH BIZ LOANS. Biz loans are designed for small businesses who are in need of loans to finance working capital. These loans start from $10,000 to $50,000. The launch of Fastcash’s Rodney Bay Branch and Fastcash Biz Loans became official after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The public is invited to take advantage of the new services offered by Fastcash.

SLTB & WCC Sign 5-Year ARC Continuity Agreement The ink has begun to dry on an agreement that would see the world’s largest transAtlantic oceanic event – The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), firmly anchored in Saint Lucian waters for the next five years.

On Thursday January 9, 2014 senior officials of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) and main organizer of the ARC, World Cruising Club (WCC), affixed their signatures to a new five-year contractual arrangement that will foster the further growth and development of the worldrenowned iconic sailing event.

Fresh on the heels of a very successful 28th anniversary that saw a new record set for the fastest crossing time from Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia, the sailing event has been ending on ‘Simply Beautiful’ Saint Lucia for the past 23 years.

Over the years that the Atlantic Rally for BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Rise Sir. Julian The Queen has been graciously pleased on the advice of Her Majesty’s Saint Lucia Ministers to approve in the New Year’s Honours List, 2014, the award of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG) to Hon Dr Julian Robert Hunte, SLC, OBE, for outstanding contribution to the public and private sector in Saint Lucia and the Commonwealth Caribbean Community.

Throughout his career, Mr Hunte has held a number of key positions in public life and national planning and development.

He entered politics in 1967, and served first as Castries City Councillor, and later, from 1970 to 1971, as Mayor of the city of Castries. In 1984, he became the Political Leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party. He was elected to Parliament in 1987 and served as Leader of the Opposition until 1996.

Prior to his life in politics, he served as Chairman of the Saint Lucia National Development Corporation, the country’s principal investment agency. He also served as a Director of the Saint Lucia Development Bank and the National Commercial Bank. He is also, a former chairman of the Insurance Advisory Council. As an advocate of labour rights and fair labour standards, he has also been active in the Trade Union Movement. He served as an executive member of the Civil Service Association.

He co-founded and chaired for two decades, the Saint Lucia National Trust, a non-governmental organization dedicated to identifying and preserving the environmental, historical and cultural legacy of Saint Lucia.

He is a former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the United

Nations. In 2001, Mr Hunte was appointed to the Senate of Saint Lucia and shortly thereafter became Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation. In 2003, he became President of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2008, he was honoured by being elected chairman of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Hunte was an avid sportsman. He represented his island in cricket, and later became an administrator of the sport.

He served as President of the Saint Lucia Cricket Association and of the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control for more than two decades. Between 2007 and 2013, he served as President of the West Indies Cricket Board.

SLASPA Embarks on Impact Study of George FL. Charles Airport The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), has contracted a local consultancy firm to carry out an impact assessment study of the George F. L. Charles Airport. The study which is endorsed by the Government of Saint Lucia, will look at the current social, economic and political impact to inform on the future operations of the airport. The format of the study will include meetings with all airport stakeholders including employees, tenants, concessionaires and the surrounding business community, social media, passenger surveys and open forums where interested members of the community can share their views and ideas on the airport.

SLASPA has held a series of townhall and stakeholder meetings to ensure that the direct and immediate airport community is aware of the study being carried out.

Mr. Ben Emmanuel, Senior Director Corporate Services and Administration indicated "SLASPA is a conscious corporate citizen and we wanted to ensure that we have all the facts and data necessary to make decisions. As a result, we thought is entirely necessary to carry out this study at this point."

The impact assessment study which will commence on November 20, 2013 is expected to be conducted over a period of three months. It is vitally important that stakeholders participate in this study and SLASPA is encouraging all stakeholders to cooperate with the team.

Stop Press!

Stop Press!

Stop Press!

A Nation Rises to the Challenges After the Christmas Rains Public and Private Sector Support for Flood Victims to be Lauded In the aftermath of the December 24 Weather System which affected the Windward Islands, a trail of death and significant destruction to property and national infrastructure was left behind in the islands of St Lucia, St Vincent and Dominica.

We sympathise with the families who lost loved ones and empathise with the Governments and national communities across the ravaged islands as they face the challenges of putting life back to some levels of normalcy and making all roads and communities accessible.

The efforts of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minster and Government needs to be complimented for their leadership of the national recovery effort and the urgency with which they engaged the various private and public sector stakeholders including the utility companies and took decisive action in getting St Lucia back in business.

The media needs to be commended for bringing the news and images of the widespread damage and destruction caused across St Lucia by the heavy rains resulting in landslides, swollen rivers and raging flood waters so that we were able to fully understand the gravity of the situation and rally to the humanitarian appeal.

It is heartening to note the outpouring of support from the local Red Cross and other Disaster Relief Agencies, Corporate St Lucia and friendly Governments who have actively mobilized cash contributions and relief supplies for delivery to the vulnerable and most affected amongst us. The Government of Trinidad & Tobago needs to be singled out for their prompt action and support. Our Caricom partners of Guyana, St Kitts-Nevis and Suriname and the local diplomatic community including Taiwan and the UK need to be recognized along with others for their financial and other contributions.

St Lucians in the Diaspora have also rallied to the call for support to assist with contributions towards the relief and reconstruction efforts and have been working through the various St Lucian Diplomatic Missions overseas.

It is this spirit of caring for the less fortunate and disadvantaged in times of humanitarian crises that helps to galvanise our people and it needs to be cultivated across all of society.

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BUSINESS TECH

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR ST. LUCIA IN 2014 A PERSPECTIVE By : Michael Chastanet

to address the de-siltilization programme and with the assistance of the European Union and/or Taiwan this is very possible. A well-orchestrated farming corporation with the guidance of Taiwan can change the landscape of the farming community within three (3) years. This programme should be carried out in conjunction with the private sector with full and meaningful blessings from the Agricultural Ministry and not adopted by any form of lip service. The Banana Industry must be addressed as a number of farmers understand the industry and are confident with the return on their investment. In the early stages of their re-investment, the inputs and irrigation systems should be sourced in the form of an Aid, as the repercussions of Tomas and the 2013 December Trough have deleted the assets and cash flow.

SOCIAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES St. Lucia like many other O.E.C.S countries have found itself at the cross roads of a lingering world recession. Based on this predicament Government needs to perform a complete overhaul of executing their business affairs. For a nation to grow, the underlying principles are Revenue, Jobs and Education.

In the absence of sufficient revenue to Government, taxation is not the only option neither is indiscriminate borrowing. Government must attract foreign investment in the form of participation which can be achieved by intelligent and meaningful dialogue. At this point, there are a number of capable financially abled Trinidadians who would be willing to extend their resources and expertise in St. Lucia with proper incentives from Government. In this period of economic malaise, no investor will risk his capital within an environment of uncertainty without concessions. The rules must change to accommodate investors, failing which our economies and infrastructure will decline and our product will be further compromised making our destination less attractive. By the same token, Government needs to address and restrict all unnecessary expenditure. At this time at least one $100 million EC can be saved each year by downsizing on their foreign offices and embassies and the unnecessary consultants serving the country.

AGRICULTURE Without delay our rivers and dams need to be de-silted as farmers will remain vulnerable by way of floods and our water supply will be compromised by reduced storage as a result of an over silted dam.

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The need to address the mentally ill and the sick is a major financial burden which will be further accentuated when the National Hospital and St Judes come on stream. It is important to quickly address these issues and if Government were to negotiate with the rightful agencies for a number of retired physicians in various fields, their services can be secured free of charge with Government providing the housing and a limited living allowance as a contribution. These physicians have access to major suppliers and manufacturers who can in turn make the necessary equipment available to the National Hospital free of charge.

MANUFACTURING Manufacturing has taken a beating and unless Government is ready and willing to reduce the Taxation burden on the various manufacturing organizations and permit the right persons from the private sector to negotiate with the Minister of Trade and Industry who has the teeth to deal with the barriers very quickly, the industry will remain in decline. Beyond these adjustments, a level of expertise from Taiwan is essential to take the production standard to another level with the necessary equipment as we have witnessed with the growing of the Talapia and the Exoras.

These productions may not be voluminous but they are high priced and they enhance our foreign exchange.

TOURISM This is a major concern as this administration is adamant in terms of improved concessions vis-a-vis revenue. But substantial job increases should be considered in their reviews as revenue can be earned from different streams. Revenue from Taxation in this economic environment is not a progressive option. Sandals for instance has recently disbursed EC $300 million in Grenada, EC $180 million in Barbados to date and come December 2014 EC$900 million will be disbursed for a four hundred (400) for a Beaches Resort. Antigua will also receive EC$300 million bite for a 250 room Beaches Resort. These projects have come on stream based on attractive incentives to lower vacation costs for exciting and modern facilities. If St. Lucia does not change course our Tourism product and by extension our on-going honeymoon destination may be jeopardised.

Further, the airlift between Puerto Rico and George Charles Airport for additional revenue and for re-energising George Charles Airport by utilising Seaborne Airways is vital more so the majority of the islands in the O.E.C.S are already benefiting from the service of Seaborne and this leaves St. Lucia out of the loop.

It is also important that the service between Barbados and St. Lucia be enhanced as early as possible with a service provider like Caribbean Airlines as a tremendous amount of opportunities between those two islands remain at stake.

HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION NH International of Trinidad has a proven track record on island for quality and reliability. This organization is able and willing to move forward with a great housing programme and infrastructural layouts. Structural systems in Barbados can also offer tremendous concepts. These participants can be mobilised once the appropriate incentives are provided.

OFF-SHORE INVESTMENTS & SERVICES Although this sector remains highly competitive, once the aforementioned programmes kick in, these services will follow suit as success breeds success. A nation in decline is overlooked by foreign investors as a basket case and we cannot permit St. Lucia to remain in the doldrums. St. Lucia did not become number 1 in the O.E. C.S by chance, past administrations earned their keep and we need to recognise the individuals, the organisations and those with entrepreneurial skills to again come forward. A top class medical school capable of attracting a minimum of fifteen hundred (1500) students accredited to top universities will stimulate our economy big time.

About the Author: Michael Chastanet is a well known and successful St Lucian Entrepreneur with many years of business experience in shipping and trading with major investments in Real Estate, the Hotel and Tourism sector and until recently the Supermarket and Wholesale Industry.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the Author.

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BUSINESS TECH

Expands Azure Services to Brazil

Latin America and the Caribbean to Benefit as of 2014 Microsoft announced that it is investing in the development of a new Windows Azure region in Brazil, which represents an important step forward in the company’s Cloud Expansion Strategy and its commitment to the country, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Worldwide, Microsoft has invested more than US $1 billion in Azure, which is currently available in 89 countries.

As of the first half of 2014, companies throughout Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean will be able to reap the benefits offered by Azure, including local data and application storage, as well as greater agility and efficiency for customers and partners.

“This investment reinforces Microsoft's commitment to Brazil during this period of transformation as a devices and services company. Our corporate strategy is differentiated, as we are the only company offering all public and private Cloud models, enabling customers to reduce costs and innovate at a faster pace,” said Mariano de Beer, President of Microsoft Brazil, who noted that the Windows Azure business unit in Brazil is growing quickly, at almost twice the market rate.

“Brazil is one of Microsoft’s ten most important global markets, and we are committed to making technology a fundamental driving force for business growth in the country,” he added.

According to Steven Martin, General Manager of Windows Azure at Microsoft Corporation, the Windows Azure BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Brazil South Region will provide better performance for local companies through reduced latency. Additionally, customers will be able to opt for Locally Redundant Storage (LRS), which will maintain three copies of their data in Brazil, preserving data residency. “It’s an exciting time to expand into Brazil, and today’s announcement represents our continued commitment to meet our local customers’ expectations.”

Windows Azure, which has been in the market in Brazil since 2010 for businesses of all sizes, start-ups, and developers, offers Cloud Computing power with solutions that provide scalability and security. “The portfolio of Windows Azure services continues to expand and improve to better support the growing demand for Cloud solutions in the market,” said André Echeverria, Director of the Servers Division at Microsoft Brazil.

The credit information firm, Boa Vista Serviços is one of the many companies that has benefited from using Windows Azure in Brazil. In search of a platform that guaranteed greater flexibility to support peak access times, Boa Vista selected Windows Azure in June 2013.

The company has two Microsoft platform applications: the Positive Consumer site, which allows users to consult online information related to their credit, as well as a Windows 8 app version of the site.

Additionally, the e-commerce anti-fraud service offered by Boa Vista is also hosted on Azure.

“Microsoft helped us migrate our infrastructure to the Cloud based on our needs. We can enjoy the benefits of Cloud computing services through a hybrid model which ensures with complete confidence the security for our information, plus the agility and scalability that only the Cloud can facilitate,” said Waldir di Santis, IT Director at Boa Vista Serviços.

Companies of all sizes are using and benefiting from Windows Azure in Latin America, including, in Costa Rica and Colombia. Windows Azure is extremely reliable and flexible. The vast experience gained by implementing some of the world’s most important online services has enabled the company to develop a reliable platform for the corporate market.

This product is the only public Cloud to offer and provide full support for all Infrastructure Services and Platform Services, not to mention that it is compatible with hybrid environments.

With Infrastructure Services, organizations can now easily migrate to the public Cloud and also control their costs to remain competitive with the pre-payment and purchase options.

Windows Azure is also compatible with virtual devices (Windows and Linux, SQL Server and Hadoop) and on open-source structures such as Wordpress, Joomla and Drupal. Developers who work with.NET, Java, PHP, Node.js and Python can use the SDK available free of charge.

Posts 3Q loss of US$4.4B

Enters into 5 Year Partnership with Taiwanese Group Foxconn BlackBerry reported a massive US$4.4 billion loss in the third quarter and 56 per cent drop in revenue in its first results under new Chairman and interim Chief Executive John Chen who hopes to make the company profitable again by 2016.

BlackBerry also announced recently it is entering into a five-year partnership with Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles products in vast factories in China. Foxconn will jointly design and manufacture some new BlackBerry devices and manage the inventory of them.

“I’m hoping we never have to have a conversation going forward about inventory write downs,” Chen said on a conference call with analysts. Chen said he thinks BlackBerry “has a really good shot” of turning a profit in 2016 and said management will try its best to achieve that. Chen later laughed when an analyst wished him “best of luck.” The former Sybase CEO is credited with turning around Sybase, a data company that was sold to SAP.

He said turning BlackBerry around would be his most “complicated’ challenge but said the company has US$3.3 billion in cash and that will “definitely allow us to engineer our turnaround.” “We are no longer worried about whether we’re going to be around,” Chen said.

BlackBerry reported revenue of US$1.2 billion, down from US$2.7 billion in the same quarter last year.

Chen has said the company “is very much alive” but is putting more emphasis on Blackberry’s software business than its hardware business. He said first Foxconn’s BlackBerry phones will be released in March or April 2014 and will be built in Indonesia. “I’ll be happy to have a breakeven or a low margin device business and then have that help us to monetise software,” Chen said.

BlackBerry said it sold just 1.9 million smartphones in the quarter compared to 3.7 million in the previous quarter and said most of them were old BlackBerry 7

devices. This year’s launch of BlackBerry 10, its revamped operating system, and fancier devices—the touchscreen Z10 and Q10 for keyboard loyalists—was supposed to rejuvenate the brand and lure customers. But the much-delayed phones failed to turn the company around and have led to a billion dollar loss last quarter and a multibillion loss in the third quarter.

BlackBerry’s net loss amounted to US$8.37 per share in the latest quarter. Its adjusted loss from continuing operations, which excludes restructuring and other items, was US$354 million, or 67 cents per share.

Avoid the mess

MIX & MATCH

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BUSINESS TECH

NTRC

Increase Public Telecommunications Access

High-Speed Wireless Internet Service to Enhance ICT in Soufriere Public access to affordable telecommunications services is to increase substantially in the town of Soufriere thanks to the signing of a contract between the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) and Saint Lucia’s leading full service communications provider, LIME. As part of its mandate, the NTRC is responsible for managing a Universal Service Fund aimed at supporting the social, educational and economic development of Saint Lucia through the provision of efficient and affordable telecommunications services at community, household and individual levels, particularly in rural and underserved communities and in maritime areas.

LIME was contracted to provide the services after it was successful in winning the tender for the project. The company is now responsible for the provision and expansion of telecommunications services, particularly broadband Internet access, and providing the supporting infrastructure to the Soufriere community.

The contract is for $439,110.91.

LIME will build a wireless Internet (WiFi) Network, based on industry-leading Meriki architecture, in Soufriere. The company will also provide 8MBps Direct Internet Access (DIA) a Premium managed Internet service, to the Soufriere Access Centre for five years. The provision of WiFi to Soufriere coupled with LIME’s introduction of new and innovative technologies will go a long way in reducing the digital divide in the town and ensure its residents don’t lag behind.

The network is managed by the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre.

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NTRC Chairman, Jerome Jules Chaiman, said “The project is designed to provide education enhancement through ICT, by the the provision of affordable broadband services to the Soufriere community in furtherance of the mandate of the Universal Service Fund.

“We are delighted to have LIME as a partner for the implementation of this extremely important project. The goal of Universal Service is to ensure equitable access to all citizens by eliminating the barriers that impede that access, such as our challenging topography, distance, disability and affordability. The Universal Service project will also help to improve the quality of life for vulnerable members of the society and put them on par with the rest of the world.”

LIME Saint Lucia General Manager, Chris Williams, said, ““We are extremely proud to be entrusted with the task of enabling universal communications access for the people of Saint Lucia. We remain strongly committed to providing the country with all the support it needs to break the barriers to communication and gain a competitive advantage in the global knowledge-based economy. Moreover, our global delivery capabilities, coupled with our proven products and technologies, and our strong focus on value and affordability mean that LIME is poised to deliver the performance and service levels to help the NTRC and the government achieve their developmental goals.”

Over the years, LIME has been working steadfastly to provide communities in the island’s southwest with increased access to its services in order to keep homes and

businesses connected 24/7, especially in the more isolated areas. Following the passage of Hurricane Tomas in 2010 and its subsequent devastation of Soufriere, the company became even more focused on overcoming topographical and other challenges to provide improved connectivity to the district.

As part of its continuing commitment to keeping Saint Lucia’s rural communities connected, LIME introduced landline and Internet services to the community of Bouton in 2009, one of the most isolated villages on the island. In recent years the company also expanded and improved access to its services in Choiseul, Saint Lucia’s largest district.

For media enquiries please contact: Terry Finisterre || Tel: +1 758 453 9572 Mobile: +1 758 285 3332 Email: terry.finisterre@lime.com BlackBerry: 29B6F381 About LIME LIME is the Caribbean's largest telecommunications company with a proud history in the region, and which is always working to improve life in the Caribbean.

LIME delivers the very best communication services to governments, businesses and families in 13 Caribbean countries with one unifying promise—building, connecting and serving communities. LIME is part of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, one of the world's leading communications companies.

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BUSINESS TECH

St Lucia Government to Implement New ICT Project Caribbean Regional Infrastructure Programme (CARCIP)

Provides EC$2.5 million Funding The St. Lucia government says it will implement a multi-million dollar programme to support information communication and technology (ICT) business incubation and training programme.

The government said the EC$2.5 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) programme is funded through the Caribbean Regional Infrastructure Programme (CARCIP).

“The aim is to develop a more sustainable entrepreneurial base by providing financing for business development activities aimed at promoting the creation of an ICT-enabled industry,” said a government spokesman, adding that the training grant would complement on-going efforts by the Kenny Anthony administration to prepare the youth for the job market.

“We expect the project to provide resources to train and certify youth on IT-related skills, such as software apps development, database management and web development.

“The training will be market-driven and accredited at the regional and international level,” he added.

CARCIP was officially launched in April 2013 with the objective of increasing access to regional broadband networks and advance the development of the ICT and ICT-enabled services industry in St. Lucia.

Regional Interactive Mobile Campaign Launched Rollout Starts in TnT with Rest of the Region to Follow BigTime, the global boutique firm of mobile marketing, has launched an interactive mobile marketing campaign in the Caribbean.

The mobile marketing campaign was launched at end of October with TSTT in Trinidad & Tobago targeting all of its subscribers in T&T utilising various channels such as SMS, radio, social networks, newspapers and billboards.

TSTT selected BigTime to launch its first ever-mobile marketing interactive campaign utilising the SMS channel and enjoy the most desirable outcomes. The interactive and smart campaign is offered exclusively to the operator users, providing a unique entertaining and educating experience. At the same time the campaign will serve as an opt-in booster to various products and services of the mobile carrier as well as a sophisticated tool of segmentation and profiling of the end users.

Dimitris Papazisis, Chief Executive Officer of BigTime, said: “We have been seriously thinking in expanding our operations in the Americas but we were anticipating the ideal timing and opportunity in order to seize it. “Trinidad and Tobago is the wealthiest country in the Caribbean and working with TSTT is BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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a double honour for us since we are working both with the government and Cable & Wireless (Lime) at the same time.

“We aim to deploy many more of o u r diversified products and services portfolio with Lime and offer not only to Trinidad and Tobago users but also to all of the Americas and especially the Caribbean markets the best engagement experiences along with the best-of-breed technology.

“The mobile audiences in the Americas are craving to be engaged by their trusted mobile operator brands in multiple ways exploiting intimate channels such as the SMS, Apps and the Web via mobile.

BigTime is very well poised to drag these markets on to the next level of the ultimate mobile experience.”

IGY Rodney Bay Marina: (758) 450 - 5564 Laborie Fishermans Cooperative: (758) 455 - 9930 St. Lucia Freezone (Engines Only): (758) 454 - 5568 Service & Repair Centre (Sans Souci): (758) 450 - 5565 AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR Dependability…. It’s what powers us!

Outboard Motors Spare Parts (Always in Stock) Fibreglass Boats Fishing Tackle Jet Skis ATV’s & Motorcycles Fibreglass Mat & Resin

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MONEY MATTERS

Caribbean Countries Feature High in Latest Corruption Index Ratings Saint Lucia Rates 22nd Out of 177 Countries With over 40 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, only one has stood out as the least corrupt, according to the 2013 Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

The index, the leading global indicator of public sector corruption which scores 177 countries annually on a scale from 0 to 100, said Barbados, the birthplace of the great grandmother of the incoming First Lady of New York, Chirlane McCray, ranks at number 15 on the scale, right after the U.K., with a score of 75. The higher the score, the least corrupt the nation, TI says.

The Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index offers a warning that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world.

Uruguay was at 19th on the index with a score of 73, higher than the U.S. The Bahamas, Saint Lucia and Chile followed at number 22 with a score of 71, respectively.

Lower down the ranks were Puerto Rico and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines at 33 with a score of 33. They were followed BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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by Dominica at 41 with a score of 58 and Costa Rica at 49 with a score of 53.

All other countries in the regions ranked below the 50 mark on the score sheet.

“Despite 2013 being a year in which governments around the world passed new laws and forged fresh commitments to end corruption, people are not seeing the results of these promises,” TI stated.

Cuba was next at 63rd on the list with a score of 46 followed by major BRICS country Brazil at 72 with a score of just 42.

El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, Peru and Jamaica tied for the 83rd spot with scores of 38, respectively while Colombia and Suriname were listed at 94th with scores of just 36, each.

Other Caribbean and Latin American nations were ranked lower still.

Peru scored just 35 to land at 102 on the list while Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico came in at 106th on the list with scores of just 34, respectively.

But it got worst. The Dominican Republic and Guatemala landed at 123rd on the index with scores of just 29 each while Guyana, Honduras, Paraguay, Venezuela and Haiti were lower still.

The gold rich South American nation of Guyana ranked at 136 with a score of 27 while Honduras scored 26 to land at 140 on the index.

Paraguay made 150th on the ranks with a score of only 24 while Venezuela and Haiti brought up the rear.

Venezuela scored only 20 and made 160th of the ranking while Haiti was last for the region with a score of 19, which landed it at 163.

GLOBALLY Denmark and New Zealand tie for first place on the index with scores of 91.

The worst nations were Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia this year make up the worst performers, scoring just 8 points each.

“The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 demonstrates that all countries still face the threat of corruption at all levels of government, from the issuing of local permits to the enforcement of laws and regulations,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International.

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MONEY MATTERS

Diaspora Could Play a Larger Role in Caribbean Development Says new World Bank Study The study titled “Diaspora Investing: The Business and Investment Interests of the Caribbean Abroad” was conducted by infoDev, a global innovation programme at the World Bank.

A new study by the Washington-based World Bank says the diaspora could play an even larger role in contributing to the Caribbean’s development with the “right incentives and policies”.

The international financial institution said the assessment brought together knowledge and data gathered from over 850 self-identified members of the Caribbean Diaspora, and sheds light on their characteristics and investment interests.

It said the Caribbean Diaspora was already “significantly engaged in the region,” with some 70 per cent being formal or informally affiliated to organizations in their home countries.

The Word Bank said half of those surveyed send remittances and 85 per cent give back to the Caribbean either through financial help, or other support in kind.

potential for the region, such as green energy, mobile applications, education, and agribusiness.

But the bank said challenges remain, stating that the gap between real engagement and expressed interest “remains significant”.

For instance, the World Bank said while 85 per cent of Diaspora members would be interested in investing in a business back home, only 13 per cent of respondents currently do so.

“The biggest barrier we found was visibility,” said Qahir Dhanani, author of the report.

“The money is out there, but there is a lack of awareness of investment opportunities, including what deals are there, what deals are high quality, and which entrepreneurs are receptive to angel investing,” he added.

Moreover, it said nine out of 10 would like to be even more engaged in the future, potentially as investors.

“With nearly one Diaspora member living in North America or Europe for every resident still in the region, this ability to engage represents a significant untapped potential,” the World Bank said.

“There is also a growing community of angel investors among the Diaspora that are already actively involved both where they live and back home,” it said, adding that about 23 per cent of respondents have already invested in a start-up company of some sort in the Caribbean region.

Looking forward, the World Bank said investors have expressed strong interest in financing sectors, with high development

The report also highlights bureaucracy, associated with making such investments, and weak legal enforcement as key barriers.

The study found that the patchwork of regulations among different countries makes it difficult to unlock the latent demand for regionally-focused investments among the Diaspora.

“There should be a serious effort by policymakers and multinationals to create a uniform regulatory environment,” Dhanani said.

According to the World Bank, the study provides other recommendations for interventions that are designed for the Caribbean as a whole.

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It said chief among these is the creation of an online marketplace that connects Diaspora investors with opportunities back home.

“Such an approach would capitalize on the geographically dispersed nature of diaspora populations, the increasing use of the Internet for social networking and investing, and the nascent but growing crowd-funding sector,”the World Bank said.

“This low-cost and scalable platform would provide equal access to everybody, regardless of their country of origin,” it added.

Other recommendations included targeted capacity building for both entrepreneurs and angel investors, and the strengthening of existing angel investing networks.

"This report underscores the important role that the Diaspora can play in the Caribbean’s economic development,” said Sophie Sirtaine, Country Director for the Caribbean in the World Bank Group.

“Increased engagement and investment by the Diaspora will be a boost for entrepreneurs in the region, eventually leading to new, high-skilled jobs,” she added.

The report, which was funded by the government of Canada, was developed as part of the Entrepreneurship Programme for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC).

The World Bank said the sevenyear programme aims to contribute to increased competitiveness, growth and job creation in the Caribbean region through the development of a robust and vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with particular emphasis on supporting high-potential growth-oriented early-stage companies.

It also noted that the Caribbean Diaspora was “a sizeable, well-educated, and affluent demographic whose large majority is interested in investing in its countries of origin.

“Due to the common heritage and strong connections across the region, they overwhelmingly take a regional approach to the Caribbean, rather than a nationalistic one,” it added.

Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs

Awarded US$58,500 The Women Entrepreneurs Network of the Caribbean (WENC) has been awarded a grant of US$58,500 from the WEAmericas Grant Initiative, a fund administered by the US Department of State, Office of Global Women’s Issues. The grant will assist the network in achieving its mandate of increasing the voice, visibility and viability of women-led businesses in the Caribbean through advocacy, training, networking, identifying and sharing best practices and resources to support the entrepreneurship development of its members.

President of WENC Agnes Francis said several challenges confront female entrepreneurs throughout the Caribbean.

Research findings from organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), indicate that the contribution of women owned businesses to their respective countries is adversely affected by factors such as access to formal networks, lack of mentorship, lack of advocacy and lack of access to funding.

“We are therefore excited about this grant which will help to strengthen and increase the capacity of women businesses throughout the Caribbean,” she said. The grant will be used over a one year period from September 2013 to September 2014, with oversight by the Executive of WENC and the US State Department.

West Indies General

Insurance Company Limited

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MONEY MATTERS

FirstCaribbean

Names new Chairman

Cayman Attorney David Ritch The Board of Directors of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has announced the appointment of David Ritch as its new non-executive Chairman. The appointment took effect from December 2013. An attorney-at-law, Ritch obtained an honours law degree from the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados, and went on to qualify as an English Barrister-at-Law in London, England. He was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 1976.

His career began in the Cayman Islands Courts as the Clerk of Courts, but he rose rapidly from that position to Crown Counsel and Senior Crown Counsel in the Chambers of the Attorney General. Ritch is currently Senior Partner with the law firm Ritch & Conolly, where he has practised law continuously for the past 30 years. Ritch is a past president of the Cayman Islands Law Society and has served on numerous Government Statutory Boards.

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These include being a member of the Cayman Islands Currency Board for almost ten years, chairman of the Port Authority, the Labour Board and Planning Appeals Tribunals, the Trade & Business Licensing Board, the Caymanian Protection Board, the Immigration Board and the Work Permit Board. He also chaired the Immigration Review Team appointed by the Cabinet in 2005 to conduct an in depth review of Cayman Islands immigration law and regulations.

Ritch is the current chairman of the Board of Directors of Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd, a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the sole provider of electricity on the Island of Grand Cayman. He joined the Boards of FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited and its subsidiary FirstCaribbean International Bank (Cayman) Limited in 2002 and sits on several of the Bank’s committees including the Audit and Governance Committee.

Ritch’s appointment as Chairman follows the retirement of Michael Mansoor as Executive Chairman on October 31, 2013. Mansoor has been re-appointed to the Board effective December 12, 2013. The Board has also announced the appointment of Brian McDonough as its newest Director, to replace resigning Director Brian O’Donnell.

McDonough is currently Executive Vice-President, Wholesale Credit and Investment Risk Management, at the bank’s parent company, CIBC. He leads CIBC’s Corporate and Commercial Adjudication globally and is responsible for assessment, adjudication and monitoring of credit risk in Wholesale Banking and Commercial Banking for CIBC. McDonough joined CIBC in 1983, has held various senior positions in Risk Management, and was appointed to his current position in July 2008.

CIBC FirstCaribbean was formed in 2002 as a merger of the Caribbean operations of CIBC and Barclays Bank.

Gets Approval for Sale of Sagicor Europe and Subsidiaries for 86 Million Pounds

Sagicor’s President and Chief Executive Dodridge Miller

Barbados-based insurance group Sagicor Financial has received approval from regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom and Cayman Islands to sell Sagicor Europe Ltd (SEL) and its subsidiaries for £86 million.

The transaction will also include the sale of Sagicor at Lloyd’s Ltd (SAL), a wholly owned subsidiary of AmTrust Financial Services Inc, Sagicor said in a statement from its Bridgetown, Barbados, office.

SEL is a Cayman Islands-domiciled holding company, and the sale also includes a reinsurance entity and two Lloyd’s corporate members.

The move will provide cash proceeds of £86 million to Sagicor—the £56 million purchase price and release of £30 million, supported in a Letter of Credit.

“This will remove Sagicor’s exposure to the volatility of the international property and casualty insurance market,” Sagicor’s President and Chief Executive Dodridge Miller said.

On July 26, 2013 the company entered into an agreement with AmTrust Financial Services Inc for the sale of SEL and its subsidiaries.

The discontinued SEL operation recorded a net loss of US$41.7 million for the six-month period up to June, 2013. This comprised an operating loss of US$23.6 million, foreign exchange and finance costs of US$8 million and an impairment estimate of all future losses of US$10.1 million.

“Overall, after including the results from the discontinued operation a net loss of US$22.4 million was attributable to shareholders for the current period, compared to US$11.8 million net income for the comparative period in 2012,” Chairman Stephen McNamara had said in his six months’ financial report.

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MONEY MATTERS

The Wonder of Compound Interest!

“He Who Understands it, Earns it, he Who Doesn't Pays it!"

By Christine Charlemagne Google Search: "Albert Einstein on Compounding Interest" and you're sure to find several quotes reportedly uttered by the world renowned genius proclaiming this mathematical concept nothing short of a miracle.

Purported accolades include statements such as, "compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it, he who doesn't pays it!" "[Compound interest is] the greatest mathematical discovery of all time." or "[Compound interest is] the most powerful force in the universe."

While the debate rages on as to whether or not those words can actually be attributed to Einstein, one thing is clear, compound interest is undoubtedly a wonder which each and everyone of us can put to work through savings and investing to catapult our wealth! What in my estimation is even more amazing is that by allowing compound interest to work over a greater period of time, small investments grow to a monumental amount.

The Miracle of Compounding interest is simply the situation where interest earned on one's initial investment is re-invested, so that interest is earned on that interest, creating a snowball effect, which if left over time leads to built up wealth. Lets consider a comparison of $1000 invested over a 15 year period in two scenarios; 1) Where simple interest is paid at a rate of BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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5% per annum verses 2) where compound interest is paid at the same rate of 5% per annum. (Investopedia.com explains that simple interest differs from compound interest since interest is calculated and paid on the original principal amount each year, therefore interest on interest is not included.)

Scenario 1 yields total interest of $750.00. whereas interest in scenario 2 totals $1,078.93 after the 15 years-a significant difference of over three hundred dollars. It stands to reason then that the more often interest is paid and compounded, the greater the return.

For this reason investment plans where interest is paid monthly yields a greater return than plan where interest is paid quarterly or annually.

Compound Interest is a good tool when investing towards retirement. Consider the fact that after 20 years of investing $100 dollars a month in a retirement investment plan with a return rate of 4.50% per annum where interest is compounded and paid monthly, the total interest earned will amount to over $14,800. Compare this with a 200-dollar monthly investment in the same plan for a ten-year period, the interest totals over $6,200. A difference of over $8,600 in interest earned despite the fact that the total invested in both cases amounts to $24,000. By investing for a longer period, even if the monthly

contributions were 50% less, the interest earned is monumentally more.

So here's a few pointer to assist you put the compounding interest miracle to work in your life • START EARLY - The younger you start, the more time compounding works in your favour, and the wealthier you can become. The next best thing to starting early is starting NOW! • MAKE REGULAR INVESTMENTS Don’t be haphazard. Remain disciplined, and make investing for retirement a priority. Do whatever it takes to maximize your contributions.

• BE PATIENT -Do not touch the money. Compounding only works if you allow your investment to grow. The results will seem slow at first, but persevere. Most of the magic of compounding returns comes at the very end.

Remember, time is the primary ingredient to the magic of compounding!

About the Author: Christine Charlemagne is a Business Development Officer at First Citizens Investment Services Ltd, St Lucia.

Suriname now a Full Member of CDB The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has admitted Suriname as a full member of the financial body. As a result, Suriname will now have easier access to subsidized loans that will boost development projects. “Suriname has a sound economy, which is growing rapidly. The government runs a tight fiscal operation and debt accounts for only about 25 per cent of GDP,” said President of the CDB Dr Warren Smith during the 259th Meeting of the bank’s Board of Directors.

“Since there is no exposure to Suriname, at this time, CDB has a very good opportunity to improve its risk profile by developing a lending relationship with our new member. We can contribute meaningfully to Suriname’s economic and social development whilst also diversifying our loan portfolio,” he said.

The CDB’s purpose is to contribute to the economic growth and development of its member countries and to finance projects for economic, social and institutional development in the region.

The full members of the CDB are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, The Bahamas, T&T and the Turks and Caicos islands.

Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, China, Germany, Italy and the UK have voting rights but are not entitled to borrow funds from the Bank.

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Cooking gas – both Sol and TexGas * Telephone top up – Lime/Digicel Vehicle accessories, car batteries, air fresheners * Lottery Tickets Oils and lubricants * Ice * Convenient store

Location: Fond Cacao, Soufriere Telephone : 459 -7831/459-7729 BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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MONEY MATTERS

Serves-up a New Year’s Recipe for Financial Health in 2014 A new year brings with it new hope, new dreams, new aspirations – not least of which are financial goals laced with dreams of wealth and/or prosperity. However, unless you have inherited wealth or won the National Lottery, it takes discipline, focus and commitment to build your wealth over time.

With your best interest at heart, Bank of Saint Lucia would like to offer you some pointers on your journey to financial health and eventually, wealth. Let’s get started.

The first step to managing your money wisely is to learn to budget. A budget is a snapshot or plan of how much money you have at any given point in time and how you propose to spend or invest that money.

Whether you get paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly or otherwise – there is no excuse not to budget. If you fail to budget, you are like a pilot flying blindfolded with the chance of a mishap - likely.

Pay attention to your discretionary income. Discretionary income is the income or earnings remaining after taxes and basic expenses (rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and food) are paid.

It is the amount that is available from an individual’s income for spending after the essentials have been taken care of.

Discretionary income can therefore be simplified as gross income minus taxes and necessities. The amount available to you to invest, save, or spend, depends on the amount of discretionary income you have. Therefore, it is important that before deciding on a savings or investment plan, you ensure that adequate discretionary BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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income is available to enable you to stick to this plan. It is also important to put as much of your discretionary income into savings rather than spend on things that you do not really need.

Debt management is yet another key element of budgeting. Keep your debt load manageable and your repayments regular.

Know the difference between what you can borrow and what you should borrow. Debt consolidation is an option you may wish to consider in your debt management.

Consolidation means combining all your debt into one payment plan. Consolidation may require you to negotiate repayment of all your debts through one financial institution. In this case, you need to pay close attention to interest rates and your debt service ratio.

Debt Service Ratio (DSR) is a measure used by financial institutions such as banks to assess the financial obligations of potential borrowers. This ratio shows the proportion of an individual’s gross income that is taken up by expenses such as housing, utilities and loan payments. Most financial institutions use a range of 4045% as the maximum percentage of debt to income that a person should maintain.

This means that 40-45% of the individual’s income is going towards repayment of debt. If you have a low DSR or one which is within the range, then you are well on your way to qualifying for a loan. On the other hand, if your DSR is above the approved level, you may not qualify. If your DSR is too high, you become over-stretched financially and this may impact you

negatively if you were to fall ill or suffer loss of income. It is therefore imperative that you keep your DSR as low as possible. One way of doing this is to consolidate current debts to reduce repayments. You should discuss the best way of restructuring your debt with your financial institution.

Prudent management of credit cards is critical to financial health. Make regular payments on your balance in advance or when the bills arrive. Pay more than the minimum payment; a little more goes a long way in reducing your debt faster. One convenient way of managing this is with Online Banking. If you have more than one credit card, after making minimum payments on each of them, direct that extra amount to the credit card with the highest interest rate first. You also need to be very vigilant to guard against identity theft. If your credit card is lost or stolen, call to have it cancelled immediately. Keep your banking information private. Do not, under any circumstances, give out your Account or PIN numbers to anyone. Be wary about telephone calls, emails or texts from persons purporting to be your financial institution.

Saving is an essential element of financial planning. Start saving for both short-term and long-term goals, including retirement.

The earlier you begin saving the easier it will be to reach your goals. Bank of Saint Lucia offers several products tailored to meet your needs such as EduStart, Home Start, Honour 50 and the Registered Retirement Investment Account – RRIA.

CHALLENGES EXPERIENCES Effective management of cash flow is essential to keeping your business viable. As the saying goes “Cash is King.” Ensure that your Accounts Receivables do not soar above a certain level. Otherwise it may cripple your business and severely hamper your operations or your ability to stay in business. Have a fixed ‘window’ for collecting receivables. The standard is 90 days. Make sure you know and understand how cash flows, in and out of your business. Cash Flow forecasting is an important financial projection to assist in tracking the capital coming in and out of your business. Effective forecasting and review can assist in pinpointing potential challenges and makes it possible to take corrective action to avert disaster.

You should also have a Business plan and update it regularly to keep pace with changes in the business environment. It’s a new year, whatever the strategic plans are for your business, ensure that these plans are documented and used as a guide for your operations. The real value here is following your business plan and getting your business to where you want it to be. Document, follow and measure your performance against this at the end of the financial year.

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ENTERTAINMENT

As the adage goes, “save for a rainy day.” An Emergency Fund is a good safety net to spare you further hardship in times of crisis. No matter your level of income, set aside a modest amount, and save it in an emergency fund every month.

An amount of 3 to 6 times your monthly living expenses is suggested for an emergency fund. This is however dependent upon a number of factors such as your age, health, job outlook, and so on. Ideally, your emergency fund should be an interest bearing account, that can be accessed when needed.

Entrepreneurs and business owners need to manage their personal finances as well as that of their businesses. As a rule, do not mix the two, under any circumstances. Business owners need to review financial statements regularly. Financial statements offer an overview of assets, liabilities, cash flows, debt level, profit and loss position and the overall worth of your business. By regularly reviewing your statements, trends can be detected and areas can be identified to increase efficiency and revenue streams, and of course, reduce on cost.

Dance and musical performances from folk bands and expatriate communities

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P.O. Box 595 Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: 452-5005 Fax: 453-2791 | businessandevents@slunatrust.org

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MONEY MATTERS

US$130M World Bank Loan for Jamaica

The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a US$130 million Development Policy Loan with Jamaica which aims to promote economic stability, debt sustainability and improve competitiveness in Jamaica.

The global financial crisis exposed the fragility of the growth model in some Caribbean countries. Jamaica’s progress on poverty and shared prosperity has been seriously undermined due in large part to economic shocks that are amplified by structural weaknesses in the economy, the Bank said in a statement recently.

The main results to be achieved are: • An improved investment climate and competitiveness, facilitating higher and more productive private sector investment.

• Sound Public Financial Management through a pension reform, a more transparent tax regime and better planning and monitoring of all public investments.

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“For over three decades, Jamaica’s economy has faced serious challenges to achieve sustained levels of economic growth. This has resulted in a continuing fragile economic environment with considerable underlying vulnerabilities and a high public debt level that imposes an enormous fiscal burden, said Peter D Phillips, Jamaica Minister of Finance and Planning.

This Development Policy Loan is part of a package provided by the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Inter American Development Bank (IDB) to support a wide range of reforms initiated by the Government to build the foundations for growth and resilience.

“Through fundamental changes in fiscal and public sector management and competitiveness, Jamaica is taking critical steps to catalyse large investments and positive economic spillovers. These reforms are key to lay the foundations for higher growth in Jamaica, which is needed to achieve fiscal and debt sustainability, and create jobs and shared prosperity for its people,” said Sophie Sirtaine, Country Director for the Caribbean.

It will be followed by a series of programs under the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) with Jamaica and complemented by technical assistance provided by the Bank managed trust fund of the Department for International Development (DFID) from the United Kingdom and additional investments under preparation.

This loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to Jamaica, has a final maturity of 29 years, with a six-year grace period.

BOOK REVIEWS

MUST READS Volume 6

Leadership Lessons from Mandela

by Lyndell Halliday

In a glowing tribute, US President Barak Obama eulogised Nelson Mandela as a “giant of history” while the Economist magazine lauded him as “greatest of the statesmen of the 20th century”. Flags were lowered to half-mast in dozens of countries throughout the world in his memory and 81 world leaders attended his memorial service in Johannesburg. This edition of Business Focus Must Reads is dedicated to the late Nelson Mandela and the powerful leadership lessons he left for us.

While the crown jewel of the innumerable books written on Mandela is undoubtedly his 1994 autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, it is likely that even the less erudite reader would already be familiar with this work. Thus this edition of Must Reads instead highlights two more recent books that serve as excellent complementary reading to the aforementioned autobiography. The first is a personal and revealing collection of Nelson Mandela’s writings and speeches: Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010); and the second is a detailed and powerful biography simply entitled Mandela: A Biography by Martin Meredith (PublicAffairs, 2010).

private archive”. This book is a collection of private letters, speeches and excerpts from other documents - cohesively wound together and interspersed with relevant background and explanatory notes by the editors. It also contains many insightful segments that were omitted from Long Walk to Freedom as well as portions of an unpublished sequel to that autobiography.

It is important to clarify that even though 90% of the words in this 480 page book are Nelson Mandela’s – the actual selection and compilation was done by a team of editors, with Mandela’s blessing.

The various fragments are assembled in a logical, though not always chronological manner to present a unique and deeply intimate autobiographical portrait of the life of Nelson Mandela. This is a distinctive book as much of what is contained in it was never intended for public consumption and hence it presents a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of this great leader.

Conversations with Myself offers the reader a deep insight into Mandela – his values, his motives and his character. It helps us to understand what made the man and the circumstances that shaped his world view as he developed into an extraordinary, transformational figure.

This book is rich in leadership lessons, but perhaps the most salient are Mandela’s keen sense of self awareness and his habit of perpetual personal reflection.

He was a deep thinker, who was prone to persistent introspection and constant self-examination. He wrote continuously not only about events, but about his own thoughts as well. Undoubtedly this selfawareness and continuous reflection were crucial in his growth and development as a leader.

For anyone inspired by Mandela’s iconic leadership and seeking to learn from his example, Conversations with Myself is as intensely illuminating a guide that one can hope for.

Conversations with Myself

by Nelson Mandela According to the introduction, “Conversations with Myself aims to give readers access to the Nelson Mandela behind the public figure, through his

Mandela: A Biography by Martin Meredith

written on the life of Nelson Mandela.

Originally published in 1998, Mandela: A Biography was subsequently updated and republished in 2010. Martin Meredith is a British journalist and historian who has written extensively about Africa.

In this exhaustive biography, Meredith traces Mandela’s life starting from his early childhood years, through his young days in the movement, his imprisonment and subsequent release, his presidency and retirement right through up until he withdrew from public life in 1997.

We see the evolution of Mandela throughout the years, how his perspectives and thinking changed and how he interpreted and responded to changing events over the course of several decades.

As a bonus this book also serves as a detailed chronicle on the history of South Africa and the ugliness of Apartheid.

In spite of Mandela’s celebrity leader status, this book is not an adulatory work.

Instead, Meredith provides a balanced perspective on the life and character of Mandela. This measured view makes this book particularly valuable as the reader gains insight into not just the accomplishments and outstanding positive traits of Mandela – but also, his weaknesses and his failures. This insight into his faults does not take away in any way from the standing and achievements of Mandela as a man and leader. In fact, they provide an important lesson that even the most exceptional leaders such as Mandela are far from perfect, but are flawed humans just like the rest of us.

Meredith’s Mandela is necessarily lengthy at 688 pages, but it is at once readable and highly captivating. This biography will provide a potent source of inspiration for the leader who desires to make an impact in any domain.

About the Author: Lyndell A. Halliday BSc., DipFM, MBA Lyndell Halliday is a business executive who has served in a range of leadership roles across the Caribbean. He is currently employed as the General Manager of Automotive Art (St Lucia) Ltd. Mr Halliday is also a part time facilitator at the National Research and Development Foundation where he teaches Leadership and Strategic Operations Management for the Australia Institute of Business MBA and BBA programmes.

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

Acquires Control of and

Supermarkets

Michael Chastanet and Partners Sell Their Shares in Gablewoods Supermarkets The Trinidad-based conglomerate, Neal and Massy, has bought an additional 67.3 per cent of the shares owned by Mr Michael Chastanet and his partners in Gablewoods Supermarkets which they now own fully and by extension also now own 60 per cent equity and controlling shares in Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL), operators of the Super J IGA Supermarkets in St Lucia and St Vincent, Mega J Wholesale and Ti J Community Franchise in St Lucia and Sav-a-Lot in St Vincent.

Former CFL Chairman, Michael Chastanet, in a statement confirmed the buyout, but gave no details as to the amount paid for the majority shares.

Chastanet said after 20 years in the supermarket industry, he along with his immediate partners Andre Chastanet and Oswald Augustin, have made a “strategic decision to transition the ownership of Gablewoods Supermarket to the regional conglomerate, the Neal & Massy Group, who has been a shareholder of Gablewoods Supermarket since 2002”.

As of January 1, 2014, Neal & Massy is the sole shareholder of Gablewoods Supermarket and by extension, majority shareholder of Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL), which is the operating entity for CFL’s retail stores, Chastanet said.

Forty percent of CFL remains in local hands while 60 percent will be held by Neal & Massy. Gablewoods Supermarket, JQ Charles and the over 200 staff members are now the sole owners of CFL. “Neal& Massy do have controlling interest but 40 percent is a big shareholding. So, from that aspect there, it’s not a matter of going all into the hands of a Trinidadian per se, you know. They have to work with the partners. The 1500 staff are very meaningful to them. They have to work with those people,” he said.

Chastanet is confident in Neal & Massy, which he describes as “an established regional company” which controls and operates the Hi-Lo chain of supermarkets in Trinidad as well as the Super Centre Supermarkets in Barbados.

“We have no doubt that Neal & Massy will provide their proven BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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expertise to a company like CFL, which has become a household name and more importantly, a company built on local input, since its inception. As a locally grown entity, we recognize the need to now compete on a global scale and remain competitive and viable.

“We have faith that with the leadership and proven track record of Neal & Massy, in the retail business, the supermarkets will attain world class standards and service while creating even more value and opportunities for all of its stakeholders including our employees.”

He added: “After 60 years as a Saint Lucian businessman, I am confident that under this new ownership, our valued operations will continue to enjoy the success and stability which has benefited all employees, local shareholders, suppliers and stakeholders.

To the entire staff of CFL and all St. Lucians who have devoutly supported the company, we wish to say thanks in many ways and above all on behalf of the CFL staff and its Directors past and present, we extend best wishes, health, happiness, and prosperity to all St. Lucians for 2014 and beyond.”

Regarding the reason behind his decision to sell his shares, Chastanet advised: “Because of where I am at this time of my life, I felt that CFL needed another great push, like it got 20 years ago, to take it to another level. And it was those factors which I considered, which i wouldn’t say made me, but persuaded me to move in that direction. No decision is ever perfect in life but in my humble opinion I feel that what Neal & Massy can bring to the table today would be very good.”

Neal and Massy have further positioned their presence locally in St Lucia with the recent opening of Marketing & Distribution ( Trading as M & D ) – A Division of Trading and Distribution Ltd – a wholly owned Neal & Massy Subsidiary specializing in the Distribution industry. The company has already acquired the agency for major brands such as Nestle Products and Valrico Foods.

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

Red Stripe

Sells Shares in Caribbean Breweries for US$9.3 Million Offloads Equity Interest in Haiti and St. Lucia Breweries to Heineken Red Stripe sold its minority stakes in two breweries located in the Caribbean for US$9.3 million ($982 million).

The local brewer offloaded its 5 per cent stake in Brasserie Nationale d’Haiti and its 10 per cent shareholding in Windward & Leeward Brewery, St Lucia to Heineken in mid December 2013. The proceeds from the sale will free up cash for the company, which is in the implementation stage of some major capital investments.

“This is the right time to dispose of these minority shareholdings as we have ambitious plans for Red Stripe with several major initiatives being undertaken,” said Cedric Blair, Red Stripe’s Managing Director. “These include the installation of our co-generation plant, plant optimisation and Project Grow — the conversion to the use of locally sourced raw materials.”

Red Stripe has invested US$7 million in the plant, which uses the heat created from generating electricity to produce steam. It plans to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to fire its dual fuel engine that will arrive in January 2014 until liquefied natural gas (LNG) becomes available in Jamaica.

Utilisation of waste heat for steam production also reduces the requirement for cooling water supplies for power generation and eliminates the need for structures such as the cooling towers that dominate the skyline in a conventional power plant.

The expected completion date for the co-generation plant is March 2014 and the company expects to reduce their energy costs by approximately 40 per cent through this initiative.

The Jamaican brewer also expects to complete three pilot brews for its cassava BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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beer by the end of 2013 and aims to grow raw materials locally, with an aim to replace 70 per cent of imported inputs by 2020.

Following the testing, the company will begin its pilot planting in early 2014, and is to sign a lease agreement for a plot of land in Bernard Lodge, Jamaica.

Blair expects that his company will begin to produce cassava beer by September, 2014.

“We are focusing on growing the Red Stripe business locally and internationally,” said Blair in a press statement issued recently.

“The sale of the minority shareholdings was timely and facilitates greater focus on growing this iconic Jamaican brand” added Richard Byles, Chairman of the Desnoes & Geddes Board.

The two Caribbean-based breweries that have been sold will continue to brew Guinness under licence for Diageo, in addition to the other licensed breweries in Guyana, Trinidad, the Bahamas, St Vincent, Belize, Grenada, St Kitts, Barbados, Panama, Dominica and Antigua.

Courtesy: Jamaica Observer

ECLAC : Region Will Grow 3.2% in 2014

Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, as she presented the Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2013 in Santiago, Chile recently.

The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean will expand by 3.2 per cent in 2014, which is higher than the 2.6 per cent from the end of 2013, according to a new ECLAC report launched yesterday at a press conference in Santiago, Chile.

In its annual report Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2013, ECLAC points out that less buoyant external demand, greater international financial volatility and falling consumption were the factors determining the more modest economic performance of countries in 2013, which brought down the three per cent estimate put forward by the Commission in July.

The next year 2014, is expected to see a moderately more favourable external environment help boost external demand, and in turn the region’s exports. Private consumption will also continue to grow, although more slowly than in previous periods.

In the meantime, increasing investment in the region remains a challenge. As she presented the report, Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, said: “The world economic situation in 2014 provides opportunities and threats for Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Bárcena said: “Opportunities include increased international trade and the possibility of harnessing currency depreciations to ensure sustained changes in relative prices. This—along with industrial policies to support growth, boost regional integration and help small and medium-sized enterprises—could help to increase investment in diversifying production in tradable goods and to reduce the region’s structural heterogeneity.”

The threats facing the region include ongoing volatility in the global economy and higher external financing costs, as well as a smaller contribution by consumption to GDP growth and a worsening regional current account. According to the Preliminary Overview, in 2014 the Caribbean will experience a recovery and post a figure of 2.1 per cent (following just 1.3 per cent growth in 2013).

The report states that the main challenge facing Latin American and Caribbean governments is to drive through social covenants for investment to boost productivity and growth with equality.

These social covenants must have an institutional framework that provides certainty and clear rules, short-term policies to provide nominal and real stability and long-term policies that encourage more diverse investment in tradable goods sectors.

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

Butch Stewart and Sandals Resorts Lead Regional Economic Revival

Sandals Resorts International Chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

Opens New Resort in Grenada, signs deals for New Resorts in Barbados and Antigua GORDON 'Butch' Stewart's Sandals Resorts International (SRI) recently announced it will spend US$125 million in bringing one of its world-renowned Beaches Resorts to Antigua-Barbuda, the fifth in the Caribbean.

SRI, parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, in December 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Antigua for the building of the Beaches Resort in Long Bay near the capital St John's.

The announcement marked a turning up of the tempo in a year of relentless investment by Sandals in the region this year. Beaches Barbados is set to break ground in the middle of 2014 and the hugely anticipated December 2013 launch of Sandals La Source Grenada will coincide with the start of the 2013-2014 winter tourist season. Earlier in 2013, SRI opened the US$120-million Key West Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

In this Antigua investment, Sandals and Stewart have come full circle, Antigua having been the first country to get the Sandals brand outside Jamaica.

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Beaches Antigua, a family resort, will be built on the site of the company's existing Grand Pineapple Resort and will boast one- to four-bedroom accommodation and suites, up to 12 restaurants, conferencing facilities and "a wide range of exhilarating and unique features that include a water park, cinema, Xbox Play Lounge and BMX track", said SRI Chairman Stewart.

The resort will triple the existing Grand Pineapple workforce to 700, in addition to providing hundreds of construction jobs, a familiar feature of the billions of dollars in investment pumped into the region by Sandals.

"As a country, Antigua is very dear to our hearts because it was the first place we went when we ventured outside of Jamaica in 1991. This particular deal has been a long time coming -- we've been discussing it for over three years -- but it is well worth the wait," Stewart told the signing ceremony. "Antigua is a stunning country and we've enjoyed no end of pleasure operating here. It's often said that there's 365 beaches in Antigua, now there's another!"

Stewart paid tribute to the visionary leaders of the three countries, noting: "The Government of Antigua-Barbuda, much like their counterparts in Grenada and Barbados who have also implemented pro-business policies such as this, should be applauded for demonstrating such vision and boldness.

"For our part, you'll find a Caribbean company over-delivering. "In Grenada, we pledged to increase the hotel's inventory by 80 to 105 rooms and we built 125 of the best suites you'll ever see in your life. We said we'd employ 100 - 325 construction workers and we recruited almost 1,500.

We said we'd create 335 hotel jobs, we've recruited 560. We promised to spend US$100 million in the next 10 years. Thanks to the support of the Government, we've spent $80 million in the first year alone.

"We would hope that each of the three new countries we are expanding into will feel the economic benefits of us being there," the Sandals boss added.

Courtesy: Jamaica Observer

World Bank says Caribbean Entrepreneurs Lack 'Innovation' in Creating Quality Jobs A new World Bank report says Latin American and Caribbean entrepreneurs lack “innovation” in creating quality jobs.

In launching the new Washingtonbased financial institution’s flagship report, chief economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, Augusto de la Torre, said “a massive” 60 per cent of regional employees work for businesses with five or fewer employees.

Often considered to be a “driver of development,” de la Torre noted that entrepreneurship creates jobs and promotes economic growth.

But he said, while business creation is high in the region, “the resulting companies grow at a much slower rate than similar enterprises in other middleincome regions and companies”.

De la Torre said the region’s landscape is such that “firms tend to start small and stay small.

“There’s nothing bad about being small, per se, but staying small forever is a problem,” he warned, adding that the reason behind “this stunted growth” is “a chronic shortage of innovation within the region”.

Over the past 10 years, de la Torre said the region has “benefited significantly from favourable economic tailwinds, enabling the region to reduce extreme poverty, increase equality and boost 50 million people into the middle class.

“However, as these tailwinds die, growth has to come from within, and innovation and dynamism are the key if the region is to build upon the social gains of recent years,” he said.

The World Bank said regional firms develop new products less frequently than their counterparts in other developing regions, stating that in Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and Venezuela, the rate of product development is less than half than that of Thailand or Macedonia.

“Consequently, this lack of innovation harms competitively and slows growth and rebounds on quality job creation -- a significant development challenge, especially in Central America," the bank said.

It said the possible reasons for the problem are four-fold, attributing them to human capital, intellectual property, risktaking and logistics.

On human capital, the World Bank said science and technology graduates and engineers are at a “premium,” adding that their scarcity “has a direct effect on innovation”.

With separate laws governing copyright in every country, ensuring intellectual property rights can be a “significant bureaucratic undertaking” for the region’s entrepreneurs, the bank said.

“The complicated panorama lends less protection to the product creators, deterring much needed investment for new product research and development.”

The World Bank said “a deep cultural shame of failure” is hindering innovation in the region by dissuading entrepreneurs from taking risks.

“This is evident as much in individual reticence at a business level as in the low levels of investment in research and

development, especially from the private sector,” it said.

The World Bank said modernizing ports, transport, and customs “can add a competitive edge to products from the region”.

Currently, it said poor public services, communication links and transport infrastructure are “adding to the obstacles to boosting production capacity in the region.

The World Bank said entrepreneurs are “key actors” in turning low productivity around to create quality jobs and lasting economic benefit for the region.

Consequently, the report recommends establishing an economic environment, which enables entrepreneurs to innovate and compete, thereby reducing the grip of monopolies, increasing productivity and diversifying the business environment.

“It is about building an innovative entrepreneurial class in which top-notch firms, firms that export goods, services, and even capital no longer look tepid in contrast to entrepreneurial superstars elsewhere,” the report states.

Courtesy: Jamaica Observer

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

World Bank Lists the Bahamas as Wealthiest Country in the Caribbean St Lucia Positioned in Top Ten List

The World Bank has rated the Bahamas as the wealthiest Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

The Washington-based financial institution said that the Bahamas is the most economically prosperous country relying on tourism to generate most of its economic activity.

It said that the tourism industry not only accounts for over 60 per cent of the Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP), but provides jobs for more than half the country’s workforce.

After tourism, the next most important economic sector is financial services, accounting for approximately 15 per cent of its GDP. The Bahamas with a gross national income (GNI) of US$21, 280, is one of the richest countries in the Americas.

The World Bank in its 2014 World Development Report, noted that oil-rich Trinidad and Tobago with a GNI of US$14, is one of the wealthiest and well-developed nations in the Caribbean.

In November 2011, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) removed Trinidad and Tobago from its list of developing countries.

“Trinidad’s economy is strongly influenced by the petroleum industry. Tourism and manufacturing are also important to the local economy. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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as in many other Caribbean islands.

Agricultural products include citrus, cocoa and others,” the World Bank said.

It said that within the sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), St. Kitts-Nevis with a GNI of US$13,330, has an economy characterised by its dominant tourism, agriculture and light manufacturing industries.

The World Bank said sugar was the primary export from the 1940s on, but rising production costs, low world market prices, and the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on it have led to a growing diversification of the agricultural sector.

Tourism on the island has been expanding since 1978. In 2009, there were 587,479 tourist arrivals to St. Kitts compared to 379,473 in 2007.

Tourism dominates Antigua and Barbuda’s economy, accounting for more than half of the gross domestic product (GDP). The island, which is famous for its many luxury resorts located around the coastline, has a GNI of US$12,640.

“The growing medical schools and its students also add much to the economy.

The University of Health Sciences Antigua and the American University of Antigua College of Medicine teach aspiring doctors,” said the World Bank.

It said democracy in the Dutchspeaking Suriname, which is fifth on the list of Caribbean countries, gained some strength after the turbulent 1990s, and its economy became more diversified and less dependent on Dutch financial assistance.

Bauxite (aluminum ore) mining continues to be a strong revenue source, and the discovery and exploitation of oil and gold has added substantially to Suriname’s economic independence,” the World Bank said.

“Agriculture, especially rice and bananas, remains a strong component of the economy, and ecotourism is providing new economic opportunities,” it added, noting that Suriname has a GNI of US$8,480.

Grenada’s economic progress in fiscal reforms and prudent macroeconomic management have boosted annual growth to five and six per cent in 1998–1999 and the World Bank said the increase in economic activity has been led by construction and trade. Tourist facilities are being expanded as tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner.

“Grenada is also a leading producer of several spices. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace, allspice, orange and citrus peels, wild coffee used by the locals, and especially nutmeg, providing 20 percent of the world’s supply, are all important exports.”

The island has a GNI of US$7,110, which is higher than that of St. Lucia, estimated at US$6,530 (GNI).

The World Bank said St. Lucia’s educated workforce and improvements in roads, communications, water supply, sewerage, and port facilities have attracted foreign investment in tourism and in petroleum storage and transshipment.

“The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries, which is its main source of revenue,” the financial institution said, noting that the manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry.

Jamaica, which has had to look to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance in shoring up its economy, is listed below Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and above Guyana.

The island with a GNI of US$5,140 has a mixed economy with both state enterprises and private sector businesses.

“Major sectors of the Jamaican economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and financial and insurance services. Tourism and mining are the leading earners of foreign exchange.

Half of the Jamaican economy is generated by income coming from services such as

tourism. An estimated 1.3 million foreign tourists visit Jamaica every year,” the World Bank noted.

It said that the 2014 report did not give specific gross national income information for Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Barbados or Haiti.

The GNI per capita is the gross national income of a country divided by its total population. It is also the sum of value added by all resident producers, plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output, plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad, according to the World Bank.

The listing and rating of the Caribbean Countries based on the World Bank report are as follows: COUNTRY

RATING GNI US$

Bahamas

$21,280

Trinidad

$14,400

Antigua

$12,640

Suriname

$8,480

Grenada

$7,110

St Lucia

$6,530

Dominica

$6,460

St Vincent & the Grenadines

$6,380

Jamaica

$5,140

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CARIBBEAN CALL TO STRENGTHEN AGRO-TOURISM LINKS

A Caribbean hotelier has issued a call for strengthening the hotel sector's ties to local food producers.

Such local linkages asserted Barbadian hotelier Ralph Taylor generate several benefits: "First, tourists want to savor the local delicacies. In fact, one of the most common complaints is the dearth of local dishes."

Taylor, owner of The SoCo Hotel on the picturesque south coast of Barbados, asserted the other reason was economic, "because you will have to pay a lot more to have your food imported from abroad. Besides, tourists do not want their dinners to come on the same flight as they did."

He went on to say the use of local food "also means we can employ more local recipes and hire more local people to cook the local delicacies.

Make no mistake - genuine and attractive local food is one of the major attractions for all tourists" Farm-to-fork programs stimulate the wealth creation of farmers, contends Taylor who launched a number of such

programs throughout his hospitality career. He added such internal linkages "also drives down the operational cost of doing business by dramatically lowering food costs."

Smaller hotels like his can lead the charge for using more local produce but he warned they could not do it alone: "Government departments responsible for farmer sustainability, development non-profits, tourism departments and community groups all have to pitch in and work together to make such valuable agrotourism linkages sustainable, productive and durable."

Taylor asserted sustainable and protected local agriculture means "after major storms and floods, hotels can stay open for business if they are sourcing local food from sustainable food growers using farming techniques which protect their crops from extreme weather."

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ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS

T&T Negotiates Land for Mega Farms in Guyana

Co-op Pushing $M 1,000 Acre Citrus Farming and Processing Project The governments of Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago have reached an agreement that will allow Trinidadian investors to secure land for farming and export of the produce to Trinidad & Tobago.

Through this initiative , the T&T based Cooperative Citrus Growers Association (CCGA) of Trinidad and Tobago appears to be first TT Company to take up the opportunity and is forging ahead with a 1,000 Acre Mega Farm project aimed at providing processed citrus juices and pulp for major beverage manufacturers in that country.

President of the CCGA of Trinidad & Tobago Felix Clarke said that the project envisages a long-term investment of up to US$25 million on a 1,000-acre citrus complex in the Tacama Savannahs located in Berbice. It may well serve as a template for other investments in farming under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two governments, he said.

Clarke stated that the CCGA had already invested around US$1 million in the project, and advised that the co-op was seeking to partner with SM Jaleel & Company, the region’s leading manufacturer of non-alcoholic beverages.

Such a partnership, he said, would see the creation of a plant to process the citrus into concentrate for shipment to Trinidad and Tobago. Clarke said the CCGA was also seeking to persuade SM Jaleel to invest in the cultivation aspect of its operations.

He said that while the production of any concentrate is “probably five years away” he would expect that other investments in agricultural projects by Trinidadian investors would be informed by the same BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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“vision and long-term planning” that underpinned the development of the Tacama citrus project.

Ongoing since 2010, CCGA’s citrus cultivation project has already brought around 175 acres of fruit under cultivation.

Around 20-25 acres are bearing. However, Clarke who is a citrus farmer and owner of a 50-acre plot in Trinidad and Tobago, said its design allows for “long term” benefit for significant numbers of Guyanese including potential investors.

Meanwhile, in order to generate income during the intervening period, the CCGA had embarked on the production of various “companion crops” including cassava, red peas, pigeon peas, sorrel, watermelon, pumpkin, pepper and sweet corn, all of which have secured local markets. Clarke said the CCGA has entered into an agreement with Gerald Mekdeci for the supply of pre-processed cassava. The entity is contracted to peel the cassava, cut it into logs, freeze it and deliver the cassava logs to Mekdeci for the production of frozen cassava fries.

CCGA’s investment in its local citrus operation is designed to eventually reduce the costs associated with importing citrus concentrates from Belize to supply T&T factories, including SM Jaleel and Nestle.

Clarke said that concentrate apart, CCGA would explore the possible use of fruit pulp in the manufacture of various types of animal feed. At the same time the CCGA Head says that the organisation is seeking to persuade groups of local farmers to buy into the project by entering into agreements with the CCGA to undertake citrus cultivation on parts of its leased plot.

Cassava Farm

Cassava Root

Tacama citrus nursery

Consolidated Foods For 10 years, Consolidated Foods Limited has been dedicated to making a positive impact on customers, families, communities and Saint Lucia.

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ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

BMR Energy to Set Up 34 MW Wind Farm in Jamaica American Capital Energy & Infrastructure ("ACEI") announced recently that it has partnered with a veteran management team to create BMR Energy LLC ("BMR"), a new energy company focused on developing and investing in power and related energy infrastructure throughout Central America and the Caribbean.

Led by Bruce Levy as Chief Executive Officer, BMR's management team has over 60 years of collective experience in global energy project development, acquisition and operations. Mr. Levy has held key executive positions in the U.S. and international energy sectors for the past 30 years, most recently as President and CEO of International Power North America (now part of GDF SUEZ Energy International). Mr. Levy is joined by Andrew Rovito and Pip Decker. Mr. Rovito has extensive experience in global energy project development and finance and most recently co-founded Development Partners Group, a developer of fossil fuel independent power projects throughout the U.S. Mr. Decker has been involved in the renewable energy industry, focused on the development, construction and operation of wind and solar facilities throughout the U.S., and, prior to BMR, focused on project development for Brookfield Renewable Power.

Mr. Paul Hanrahan, CEO and co-founder of ACEI, said: "We are excited to partner with Bruce, Andrew and Pip in building this BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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new platform. Bruce is a knowledgeable and successful international executive who leads a talented team with strong energy infrastructure development and operational experience. This partnership will enable ACEI to expand into the Caribbean and Central American region with the development of competitive and environmentally responsible power and related energy infrastructure to serve the region's growing energy needs."

BMR's first project is a 34 MW wind farm in Malvern, St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica.

In September 2013, the Office of Utility Regulation in Jamaica selected BMR to build, own, and operate the wind project, which is expected to be operational in 2015. The company also has a mature project pipeline throughout the region.

Mr. Hanrahan added: "There is a tremendous opportunity for renewable and efficient fossil fueled generation and gas infrastructure to displace expensive oil-fired power plants in Jamaica, as well as throughout the Caribbean and Central American region. With most of Jamaica's electrical power produced by diesel and heavy fuel oil, Jamaica depends on relatively expensive petroleum imports to satisfy its national energy needs.

Renewable power and other energy infrastructure can substantially reduce the cost of power while also improving the environment in Jamaica."

"ACEI's deep operational and development knowledge, combined with its extensive global network in the industry, as well as its financial strength will add significant value to BMR and our first project in Jamaica," said Mr. Levy.

"Power from our Jamaica wind project should be among the lowest price available in the country. We are pursuing similar opportunities for wind, solar and fossil fueled energy projects and expect that our technical and development expertise as well as our financial strength will offer new options to governments and energy users across the region. We look forward to being a part of this effort."

UN Study:

Electrical Waste up by a Third by 2017 The mountain of refrigerators, cell phones, TV sets and other electrical waste disposed of annually worldwide is forecast to grow by a third by 2017, according to a UN study. E-waste—defined as anything with a battery or a cord—can pose a big problem because it often contains substances that are harmful to humans and the environment if not properly treated. On the other hand, some of it can be profitably recycled.

A UN think tank dedicated to the issue estimates that the amount of e-waste will rise from almost 48.9 million metric tons (53.9 million tons) in 2012 to 65.4 million metric tons (72.09 million tons) in 2017. That’s nearly 200 times the weight of the Empire State Building. The US dumped the most last year, generating 9.4 million metric tons of e-waste, followed by China with 7.3 million metric tons.

Per capita the US was even further ahead, with almost 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of high-tech trash for China’s 5.4 kilograms (12 pounds). The global average is 7 kilograms (15 pounds) per person.

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Sea Island Cotton Shop, P.O. Box 37, Castries, St, lucia, West Indies Tel: (758) 451-9040 / 452-3674 Fax: 1(758) 453-7751 email: seaisland@candw.lc Traditionally known for their WHITE linens, cottons, and everything elegant and “fab”, Sea Island Cotton Shop has taken pride in supplying some of the best fashion pieces here on island; all at Duty Free Prices.

This year is no different. Sea Island Cotton Shop is taking it up a notch and injecting a serious splash of colour. And we’re not only referring to the great range of accessories on hand. Oh no. We’re referring to pieces, such as the newly introduced Jams World, which speaks volumes (literally) of character, and style. This printed fashion line prides itself on being bold...really BOLD!

“We are passionate about vibrant COLORS, the FREEDOM to dress the way you feel, the courage to be DIFFERENT, with HUMOR and a LOVE of life”

(Jams World, 2014) Being surf inspired, the pieces (for both men and women) capture, in more ways than one, the spirit of the Caribbean, the complexity of life, and the beauty of art.

To compliment the Jam’s World line, Sea Island Cotton has brought in the elegantly casual lines of minis, maxis, and high-low dresses from Élan, Samson, Santiki and Peppermint Bay.

This year, there is every reason to conquer your fear of colour at Sea Island Cotton Shop. We already have!

What about you?

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ASSOCIATION OF ST. LUCIA

The CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOCIATION OF ST. LUCIA and SEA ISLAND COTTON SHOP: Rising against physical challenges.

Last year, Sea Island Cotton Shop partnered up with the Cerebral Palsy Association of St. Lucia to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day. It was indeed a new experience, as we got insight into the world of cerebral Palsy affected persons. It was nothing short of amazing, to see the huge efforts put in by moms, dads, volunteers, and even external partners, to ensure that CP sufferers, are able to thrive in a safe and accepting society. It was a great initiative, and we were more than happy to be a part of it.

However, there is so much work to be done, and as a company, we, the Sea Island Cotton group, has vouched to assist the CPA of St. Lucia in their efforts to: · Educate and sensitise the public of what CP really is · Create safe, play and learning environments for persons affected by CP · Create opportunities to boost an enhanced standard of living for persons affected with CP. We have been working alongside the CPA of St. Lucia and the Sure Start Day Care Centre, which caters to children affected with CP. One of their major projects is the completion of a Sensory Room.

This year we are dedicated to the completion of the Sensory Room, which will allow CP affected persons to develop in a specialised learning environment, catered to their learning deficiencies. It is a project we believe holds great potential to yield great benefits; possibly change the life of some of the brilliant kids we’ve met along this journey thus far.

Rum Therapy Bar and Treatment Centre. Serving up the best cocktail made from 100% locals rums.

Located at Duty Free Pointe Seraphine.

(1 758 459-0301) http://stluciarumshop.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rum-Shop-StLucia

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GRANT THORNTON MAKES THE MOVE TO DIGICEL BUSINESS

Grant Thornton Partners Richard Peterkin and Anthony Atkinson flanked by Digicel Executives Digicel Business, the corporate arm of the Digicel Group, is the region’s leading full service business solutions partner, ideally positioned and equipped to assist Corporate St. Lucia in solving complex business and technical challenges by implementing and integrating leading technologies.

We understand that to drive growth, corporate entities need to be agile, flexible, operationally efficient and equally engaging to customers in a highly complex and connected world. Our portfolio of solutions are specifically tailored to enable organizations, regardless of size, location, or mandate, to connect with customers, suppliers and communities.

The latest recipient to benefit from the Digicel Business Advantage is Grant Thornton, formerly Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC). The accounting firm is now reaping the rewards derived from the commissioning of two Digicel Business solutions namely, Uncontended Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) and a CISCO Unified Communications Solution ( PBX).

Using world class internet infrastructure peering, the Digicel Dedicated Internet Service offers clients’ quality guaranteed bandwidth, resiliency and uptime.

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“This is precisely the kind of direct business interface that Digicel Business is renowned for,” states Country Manager for St. Lucia Holly Hughes-McNamara.

The state-of-the-art system meets the most stringent corporate security requirements for link encryption, information integrity and confidentiality.

As such, the Digicel Network ensures that company information is always protected and is backed by Digicel’s leading Service Level Agreement (SLA) which guarantees any business the best response time in support of the resolution of technical or service issues.

“As a full service telecommunications company, we are keenly aware that our clients require more than just mobile services and we stand ready and able to deliver a diverse range of business solutions to corporate St. Lucia,” noted Hughes-McNamara.

The equally impressive Cisco Unified Communications IP PBX, which Grant Thornton has also opted to purchase from Digicel Business, is a sophisticated, yet simple communications solution designed to strengthen business relationships through improved interactions and experiences.

Built with proven technology, this IP PBX provides foundational unified communication and advanced collaboration service options.

Consolidated into one virtualized platform, it supports up to 1000 users, 50 sites, and 100 concurrent contact center agents.

Cisco Business Edition 6000 delivers fullfeatured, advanced collaboration services with simple network integration.

According to Hughes-McNamara, “Digicel Business is all about serving customers effectively and our newly established relationship with Grant Thornton is a prime example of an effective and fluid business relationship premised on innovation and unwavering corporate care that the Digicel Business advantage provides. We are thrilled to deliver on such business services to Grant Thornton as the newest member to a growing list of corporate customers such as the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited, The Star Publishing, Coconut Bay Resort and Spa, The East Caribbean Financial Holdings, Rain Forest Sky Rides and Canadian Banking Notes , just to name a few.”

Acquires Submarine Fibre Assets Across the Caribbean Region Driving Choice and Innovation for Data Hungry Customers DIGICEL announced that it has reached an agreement with the Guadeloupe-based Loret Group and with Caribbean Fibre Holdings to acquire a submarine fibre network across the Caribbean region. Digicel will acquire Middle Caribbean Network, Southern Caribbean Fibre, Antilles Crossings and a number of related assets from Global Caribbean Fibre.

This deal will provide Digicel with a wholly owned submarine fibre optic cable network of approximately 2,100km providing capacity from Trinidad to Guadeloupe, according to a statement from the company.

Digicel said it has also entered into a transaction with Global Caribbean Fibre and Global Caribbean Network to provide submarine fibre capacity from Guadeloupe to Puerto Rico with onwards connectivity to the mainland United States.

With these new capabilities, Digicel is underpinning its commitments to delivering best network, best service and best value and will once again be at the forefront of driving competition and consumer choice in the region.

In total, Digicel has secured access to a robust network comprised of 15 submarine segments with a reach of some 3,100km across the Caribbean region. Digicel will also have extensive onwards capacity on other submarine networks connecting locations such as Miami, Paris and New York.

The financial terms of the contract are not being disclosed and the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said: “We are always looking for new ways to ensure that we deliver choice and innovation to our valued customers. The acquisition of this submarine network secures significant additional broadband capacity for Digicel. This additional capacity is central to our continued drive to offer innovative services and products to our customers in a data hungry world.�

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Rotary Club of Gros Islet and Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd -- A Hole in One Partnership!

By Stan Bishop

For the past 21 years, an annual Charity Golf Tournament has been teeing off at the St. Lucia Golf Club at Cap Estate. Teams of golfers converge on the green for some friendly rivalry to carve reputations and earn bragging rights. But in the past two decades the tournament has been around, this golf tournament has created an even greater lasting impression: the gift of giving.

Since its inception, the tournament -- the brainchild of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet -- has generously contributed proceeds totalling over $1.8 million in the form of community projects across Saint Lucia. Last year alone, the Rotary Club of Gros Islet donated a 150,000-gallon water tank to the Plateau, Babonneau community. The water tank, which costs some $700,000 in cash and kind, was crucial in alleviating the water woes faced by the 3,000 plus residents whose pipes had previously gone dry for weeks at a time.

Other funds raised by the tournament have been earmarked for assisting the Grow Well Centre, the Upton Gardens Girls Centre, the St. Lucia Diabetic and Hypertension Association, and the Marchand Infant and Primary School’s feeding programme, to name a few.

Three years ago, Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd drove its way into the prestigious tournament by becoming the Title Sponsor. In 2013 alone, Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd, a subsidiary of J.Q. Charles Group of Companies that falls under the umbrella of J.Q. Motors Ltd., handed over a $30,000 check to the Rotary Club of Gros Islet towards the hosting of the event. A key feature of the golfing event is that Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd increases the stakes by offering an Audi car to anyone scoring A Hole in One! Today, the Rotary Club of Gros Islet / Audi Charity Golf Tournament continues to score big with its players and beneficiaries.

Trevor Hunte Brand Manager AUDI St. Lucia Presents Cheque to Rotary President Marcelline Chitolie

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“We have done that for the past three years,” Trevor Hunte, Brand Manager for Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd told Business Focus Magazine. “However, we have teamed up with the Rotary Club of Gros Islet ever since we launched the brand in 2008. The whole mission of the Rotary Club of Gros Islet is something that Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd realizes that we need to be a part of. The mere fact that all the money that they make goes back into the community to help those who need it most is something that we want to be part and parcel of.”

Hunte said that the Audi brand, which has been doing pretty well since its launch here, will continue to position itself in the market with a focus to becoming the number one brand in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean. He added that Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd will align itself strategically with events that seek to embody values that speak to the Audi brand. Such values, he said, include the prestige that the Rotary Club of Gros Islet/ Audi Charity Golf Tournament embodies as well as the principle of lifting standards.

Audi (St. Lucia) Ltd’s alliance with the Rotary Club of Gros Islet also has another strategic dimension, he said.

“We will try to get involved with events in which our type of clientele is participating. The clientele that participates in the events we sponsor is basically the same people who are more likely to purchase an Audi vehicle. So we will be looking forward to sponsoring other major events where we can fit into those kinds of niches,” Hunte told Business Focus Magazine.

Undoubtedly, the annual Rotary Club of Gros Islet/ Audi Charity Golf Tournament seems poised to make a positive difference in the lives of many -- one perfect stroke at a time. Fore!

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Mauricette’s Auto Repairs Customer Satisfaction

Guaranteed.

Mr. and Mrs. Hilron Mauricette (far right) with members of staff

By Stan Bishop

“If people pay for a quality service, they should get it.”

That’s the message that Hilron Mauricette, Manager of Mauricette’s Auto Repairs, says embodies the mission statement his company operates by.

Mauricette has been involved in the auto body repair industry for the past 28 years. However, the expansion -- the new shop at Bois d ‘Orange -- has been in existence for just about 10 years. But the years have certainly been good for the company whose name and service many motorists have come to appreciate.

“We specialize in auto body repairs. So if your vehicle is damaged or you just want to give it a face-lift, we’re the ones to do it for you,” Mauricette says.

Mauricette’s Auto Repairs offers the best in auto body work, chassis straightening, suspension and steering repairs. The company also does house calls for damage assessments.

With nearly three decades of experience in the auto body repair field under his belt, Mauricette has certainly built up quite a sterling reputation for his company. It is a confidence, he tells Business Focus Magazine, that customers don’t usually second-guess.

Mauricette’s Auto Repairs is unquestionably the decision to make when you’re looking for precision in getting your vehicle back into perfect shape.

Mauricette’s Auto Repairs has both the expertise and technology to deliver customer satisfaction -- guaranteed.

“We offer the highest level of precision in getting the job done. For instance, in the case of chassis repairs, we’re the only ones on the island with a computerized measuring system that measures and analyzes the best way to fix your problem. We also have the knowledge and do the research needed to ensure that our customers get the right value for their investment,” Mauricette said.

Your vehicles are also insured while they’re at Mauricette’s Auto Repairs for repairs. That insurance covers damages from disasters, theft and other factors.

Choosing Mauricette’s Auto Repairs to get the job done means that you’re serious about getting the job done right the first time. The warranties they offer on their services should be another good reason to choose them for the job.

Mauricette’s Auto Repairs team of 22 professionals come highly-qualified for the specialized service we offer. Our team’s skills are kept sharp by undergoing rigorous training from time to time.

Mauricette is himself a pioneer in the auto body repair business, and ensures that his company keeps abreast with the latest technologies that the business in built on. That has found him traveling out od Saint Lucia to become acquainted with some of the newest technologies.

If you’re looking to get your vehicle back into perfect shape, let the professionals at Mauricette’s Auto Repairs do it for you. Go ahead, make the call today.

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Lu Pak Distributors Servicing caterers, hotels, restaurants, food vendors and supermarkets since 1986 We are the approved distributors of Hummingbird disposable and packaging solutions, including: Disposable plastic/styrofoam cups, plates, saucers and cutlery Colourful and sturdy plastic straws Take-away food containers, garbage bags and foil Plastic bags (printed and non printed) in all sizes and thickness Other popular brands include Durobags and Ibis coils Sole distributor for Tropi juices and distributor for Tami and Darnell products ■ Products ideal for parties/weddings and other social and business functions ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

All our products are recyclable.

For retail and distribution inquiries contact Lu Pak Distributors Lu Pak Experts in food packaging

Tel/Fax: (758) 458-2527 Mobile: (758) 485-0118 Email: lupak2006@gmail.com

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YOUTH IN FOCUS

Young Saint Lucian Wins International Entrepreneurship Competition

Laurah John addressing Closing Ceremony of 8th UNESCO Youth Forum Photo credit UNESCO/Cyril Bailleux.

Another young Saint Lucian has done herself and her country proud on the international stage. Miss Laurah John was the leader of an eight person winning team at the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum Startup Weekend which was held from October 25 to 27, 2013 in Paris, France. Miss John was also the delegate for Saint Lucia at the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum held from October 29 to 31, 2013 at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris.

The UNESCO Youth Forum Startup Weekend was a collaborative effort of the United States, UNESCO and the global NGO, Startup Weekend. The event was a precursor to the 8th UNESCO Forum which was held under the theme “Youth and Social Inclusion: Civic Engagement, Dialogue and Skills Development” and reflected this theme by focusing on social entrepreneurship and the development of innovative ways for youth to help resolve today’s most pressing issues.

Startup Weekend in itself is a 54hour entrepreneurship challenge where individuals learn to create a “startup” – a small enterprise designed to meet a local demand and be able to grow. It is an educational platform where participants have the opportunity to learn the ABCs of entrepreneurship from experienced professionals, develop their creative and entrepreneurial skills, and connect with a worldwide network of over 45,000 people dedicated to action and innovation.

“Initially, I was excited yet apprehensive,” John said of her experience. “Once the opening ceremony took place, I realized that we not only had to pitch an idea in BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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front of the crowd in 60 seconds, but also rally a team from amongst the crowd of strangers, persuading them to support your idea in order for it to be one of the business ideas developed over the weekend.”

Miss John’s winning concept stemmed from her Master’s research on sustainable solid waste management. Her concept was for a startup which she and her team would later call S.E.E.D. (an acronym for Solutions Empowering Environmental Development). The startup’s mission would be initiating a creative solution to the issue of inefficient and inadequate solid waste management in Saint Lucia through the upcycling of recyclable materials to produce new products that are better in quality and of greater environmental value.

“The focus of my post secondary studies has always been oriented around issues of social development and sustainability,” John said. “My concentration on solid waste management was born out of my experience living in Canada and participating in the everyday household recovery of recyclable materials, then returning to Saint Lucia and having to revert to old ways of throwing everything out from plastic bottles to tin cans, to paper products.”

John further elaborated, “For me it was a very tangible problem that needed to be addressed. In addition to its impact on the physical landscape in terms of the litter, the flooding and having the landfill and the implications thereof, I also saw how it affected the people. “It’s a fact that the poor are disproportionately affected by the environmental hazards associated with inadequate or improper solid waste management. This is not only an environmental issue but one of equity as well.”

John and her dedicated team worked diligently over the course of the Startup Weekend to further develop the idea for S.E.E.D. The condensed nature of the Startup Weekend format meant that for them, the development of S.E.E.D. became an exercise in working harder and smarter.

“It was intense! Admittedly, I was not focused on the competition aspect for the majority of the weekend. For me it was an exercise in how to develop a startup,” John said. “I just really just wanted something

concrete to present at the end of the weekend; something that was viable and realistic.”

“I was overwhelmed, excited and in shock,” said John about her reaction to the announcement that her idea had won.

“I felt extremely proud of myself and my team”.

For her win, the 27 year old and her team received recognition and prizes during the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum. As the team leader, John will receive a special prize of an all expense paid trip to the United States to meet with potential investors and entrepreneurs.

The young entrepreneur now has her sights firmly set on bringing her startup idea to life.

“I have every intention of starting this business,” said John when asked about the future of S.E.E.D. “My vision for S.E.E.D is for it to grow into a prominent, stable, international social enterprise that is spearheading not only a more sustainable solid waste management through recovery and upcycling, but also leading the way in terms of developing more innovative solutions that challenge the way we live.”

John, who is also a volunteer with the National Youth Council, had this message for Saint Lucian youth: “Focus on discovering your passion and allow that to lead you when you are deciding on your education and career path. Be courageous! Be bold! Recognize that there will be many challenges but your ability to overcome them is what will give you the advantage and the perseverance to push beyond those barriers.”

Miss Laurah John has certainly stood up to the challenge. Emerging from our small island developing state, she has made an impact at an international entrepreneurship competition with a concept which could change the way Saint Lucians live and solve a major environmental and social problems on the island. As a nation, we need to encourage more of this kind of innovation among our young people and create avenues for them to think creatively on how to solve some of the pressing issues of the day.

Kudos to Miss John for her hard work and dedication!

Reproduced with Courtesy by the Star.

Nina Compton,

?

Top Chef, the cooking competition on Bravo, has made stars out of many of its contestants making the reality show a talent incubator for chefs with a recipe for charisma and talent to rise to the top in the culinary fame game.

This season, Nina Compton is proving a formidable competitor on the show. A native of Saint Lucia, Compton left her island home to study at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. After graduating in 2001, she worked for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Daniel Boulud in New York City and Norman Van Aken in Miami.

But it was the opportunity to work with Scott Conant at his soon-toopen Scarpetta at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach that was the catalyst for success. After rising from Sous-Chef to Executive Chef at Conant's Miami outpost, she received a call from a group of TV producers asking her if she was interested in filming a cooking show. "They didn't reveal which show it was for until after the first interview," she says. Immediately, she asked her boss for advice. Conant, a Food Network celebrity in his own right, told Compton to be herself. "I took his advice, and that was the best thing I could ever do."

All of St Lucia and the Caribbean is wishing her well and hoping that she can win the title of ‘Top Chef’ and bring glory and recognition to St Lucia and the Caribbean following the recent achievement of Jamaica’s Tessane Chin on ‘The Voice’.

Blair’s Auto Parts Bois D’Orange, Gros-Islet Hwy, P. O. Box QAB 275, La Guerre Tel: 1(758) 450-6609 1(758) 717-5723 1(758) 488-0402

We Offer a Wide Range of Parts for all Types of Vehicles

Suzuki • Nissan • Toyota • Mitsubushi • Isuzu • Mazda We also sell brake pads for:

APV • D-Max • Navara • Mark 11 Model 2000 – Up. Other parts in stock are:

Water Pumps • Lead Wires • Brakes Hoses • Suspension Parts Wheel Cylinders • Mounts and MUCH MORE

• • • • •

Construction Project Management Construction Management Renovations Building & Designing

A: P. O. Box CP 5452, Hillcrest,Castries T: 1(758) 452-0009 F: 1(758) 452-0009 M: (758) 721-1770 or 460-5166 E: epicconstruction.inc@hotmail.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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YOUTH IN FOCUS

St Lucia Photographer Challenges Students To

“Dare To Dream”

Iconic St Lucia Photographer Kirk Elliott has launched a Photo/Essay Competition at the Corinth Secondary School under the theme “Dare To Dream”.

The competition which is open to Form 5 students invites them to pen their biggest dream of what they would like to be when they grow up and to state how realizing this big dream can make St Lucia a better place. The students were also invited to submit a picture showcasing their favourite place in St Lucia and to write a 100 word explanation of why this is their favourite place.

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“I recently went through an exercise of hiring a group of young persons for a project and was shocked by their “unwork-worthiness” and this really bothered me” Elliott commented in explaining what motivated him to launch this competition.

When asked what he believes is responsible for this problem that so many Saint Lucian employers complain about an impassioned Elliott responded: “I believe that the system has failed the youth and we adults are too quick to blame them for their wrongs rather than asking – what contributed to them going astray and what can be done to address the problem.”

When asked what would they like to be when they grow up, a group of school children recently responded as follows: one wanted to be a policeman, another a teacher and yet another wanted to be a psychologist, however one boy said that he wanted to be a drug dealer and needless to say the group of students couldn’t stifle their giggles.

Yet another group of teenage boys in a classroom setting, when asked why they were so unmotivated about work one boy responded “Sir what’s the point when the only place for us is the cemetery or the jailhouse.”

Spend some time with the youth and you quickly realize that despite their disconnect with the adult society they are not only intelligent, but also acutely aware of

the fact that the system has failed them.

Elliott explains that he looks forward to reading the biggest dreams of the Corinth students and asks all of St Lucia to start asking “what can I do to ensure that our youth do not see becoming a drug dealer – or worse, as their only way out.

Your comments are welcome at http:// StLuciaByKirk.com/save-our-children-now St Lucia Photographer Kirk Elliott holds a Double Major Bachelor of Science degree in Geology & Chemistry having won a scholarship to work on Saint Lucia’s geothermal project. Having found no work back home on completion of his studies, Elliott pursued his passion of photography and has never stopped dreaming since.

He encourages people to dream awake, especially when faced with challenges as our greatest accomplishments are often just a dream away.

Transport Department The Transport Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport is mandated to oversee and implement the provisions of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (Cap 8.01) (MVRTA) and Regulations. The Department is headed by the Chief Transport Officer.

The Department is subject to policies of the Saint Lucia Road Transport Board which in keeping with Sections 48 and 49 of the MVRTA is responsible for advising and making recommendations to the Minister for Transport on all matters pertaining to road transport, traffic, traffic safety and any other matter incidental to the administration of the MVRTA. The Board is headed by a Chairman.

The Transport Department Performs Several Functions, Some of Which are Listed Below: • Administering policies approved by the Saint Lucia Road Transport Board and providing research support to the SLRTB. • Efficiently administering the Licensing System of Drivers’ Licenses and Motor Vehicles; • Communicating regularly with the Saint Lucia Insurance Council, Customs and Excise, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (Traffic Department), National Council on Public Transport, Taxi Associations and other agencies on related matters; • Coordinating and granting approval to traffic planning and management initiatives such as signage, road marking, parking and public transportation; • Providing public awareness and sensitization on road safety and traffic management initiatives.

With a Staff Complement of Forty (40), the Transport Department is Responsible for the Following Transactions: • Issuing of driving permits for learners • Testing of learners • Issuing of licenses including renewals, endorsements, duplicate licenses, international drivers licenses, exchange of foreign licenses, change of information) • Vehicle registration (including registration exemption, vehicles for MP, left hand drive) • Change of ownership • Change of information • Deregistration of motor vehicles • Motor Vehicle Dealer Licenses • Motor Vehicle Rental Licenses • Annual license payment • Built vehicle registration • Fleet Licensing • Route Permit (issue, renewal, sale, replacement) • Taxi Permit (issue, renewal, duplicates, replacement of permits/plates) • Traffic Management and safety:o Change in traffic flow o Speed limits o Road markings o Signage o Establishment of speed control devices o Road closure o Traffic diversion o Road closure o Traffic management/safety measures With offices at Union and Vieux Fort, the functions of the Department are carried out by Licensing Officers, Licensing Clerks, Data Entry Clerks, a Camera Technician, Driving Examiners, a Public Transport Coordinator, Bus Dispatchers, School Crossing Wardens. Support is also provided at Sub Collectors offices in Soufriere and Micoud.

Licensing and Registration of motor vehicles and drivers is critical to the survival of any business. With that in mind, it has become an imperative that the systems and procedures of the Transport Department make a strategic leap into modernized business management to meet the dynamic needs of its customers.

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IN THE KNOW

ST LUCIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS 129th AGM Gordon Charles of J.Q. Charles Group Elected New President The complete Board of Directors is as follows: The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture held its 129th Annual General Meeting on November 20, 2013 where Gordon Charles of JQ Charles Group of Companies was elected President, while Esther Browne-Weekes of East Caribbean Financial Holding was elected to serve as First Vice President.

The Annual General Meeting, held at the Royal St. Lucian Conference Room, was very well attended.

The 129th Annual General Meeting of the Chamber w as addressed by two very informative Guest Speakers. Mr. Wayne Dass, CEO of CARICRIS, the regional credit rating agency, who spoke to the "Medium Terms Prospects for St. Lucia in the context of St. Lucia's debt profile and the role that SMEs could play." The Feature Address was delivered by Dr. Warren Smith, President of Caribbean Development Bank, who also spoke to the "Short to Medium Term Prospects for the St. Lucia Economy, identifying marco-economic stability, improved productivity and competitiveness and improving the macroeconomic environment as key issues to be addressed by St. Lucia.

The President of the Chamber, Mr. Gerard Bergasse in his address maintained focus on the Chambers' "Making it Easier to Do Business in St. Lucia" agenda and challenged the Prime Minister, in absentia, to take responsibility for having "one" reform implemented within the next year.

Since 2007, St.Lucia has descended from number 27 in the World to number 64, in the 2014 report.

The Closed Business Session saw the election of the Board of Directors and the presentation of audited financial statements. The Executive Director's Report was once again presented in the form of a magazine.

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1St Vice President: Esther Browne-Weekes ECFH

2nd Vice President: Lanfraze Cherubin WLBL

President: Gordon Charles J.Q. Charles Group of Companies

Immediate Past President: Gerard Bergasse Tropical Shipping

Member: Martin Dorville Consolidated Foods Ltd.

Member: Margaret Monplaisir St. Lucia Distillers Ltd

Member: Trevor Louisy St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd

Member: Cheryl Renwick Renwick and Company Ltd

Member: Karen Peter Caribbean Metals Ltd

Member: Sue Monplaisir The Wave St. Lucia Limited

Member: Brenda Duncan BDO

Fire Safety In less than 30 seconds, a small fire can become out of control. Black smoke created continuously sucks out oxygen making breathing and visibility very difficult, and fire fighting almost impossible if the proper tools aren’t used. To prevent small fires from becoming deadly life threatening situations, a fire extinguisher is a handy tool as a first point of attack.

A typical fire extinguisher when fully charged contains 10 seconds of extinguishing power. However, no single type of extinguisher is completely effective on every kind of fire. So, before buying, it is essential to carefully look at the type of fire its suitable for, to ensure you are fully covered.

Types of Fires

Know Your Fire Extinguishers Dry chemical extinguishers are suitable for fighting class A, B and some class C fires and often deemed a multipurpose extinguisher.

The powder does not soak into materials nor have a good cooling effect on fire, but is effective on ordinary types involving wood, furniture and paper.

As a gas, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers leave no residue.

Suitable for use on fires involving burning liquids (Class B & C fires), it also effectively puts out electrically based fires. CO2 extinguishers however, should never be used for deep fat fryers, as the strong jet from the extinguisher carries the burning fat out of the fryer and spreads across room.

Foam Fire Extinguishers, (AFFF FOAM - Aqueous Film Forming Foam) smothers the fire with the foam blanket created which cuts out the oxygen. The foam is also able to penetrate porous materials and cools the fire through evaporation of the water content in the foam. Suitable against flammable liquids and flammable solid fires (Class A & B type fires).

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers are especially designed for high temperatures in industrial kitchen fires involving burning oil and deep fat fryers (Class K fires). Such units allow you to safely lay a cooling layer of foam on top of the burning oil without putting operator at risk or causing flash back.

Seek professional help to ensure you have the correct extinguishers on your premises!

About Author

A SunGroup Member Company

Kezia Preville is the Business Development Manager at Regional Fire & Security Ltd which operates offices based in St. Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago; the location of its parent company. She currently manages the St. Lucia office and can be contacted on info.stl@1rfsgroup.com or (758) 451-3473 for more information BusinessFocus BusinessFocus Jan Jan//Feb Feb | | 53 53

Opportunity or Risk for CFOs?

IN THE KNOW

The Issue of Global Business Services (GBS)

New research from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) suggests that finance leaders see challenges in implementing global business service (GBS) models as well as recognising the significant impact they may have on the traditional role of the finance organisation.

With many finance functions within businesses having moved into outsourced or shared services models, for some businesses the next phase is GBS – the aggregation of functions such as finance, human resources, IT, property and facilities into one organisational construct and governance model.

ACCA’s report suggests Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) could bring even more value to the business through this structure, but the model poses potential risks for finance chiefs and the finance function remit, and may alter traditional finance career opportunities.

Deborah Kops, Principal, Sourcing Change and co-author of the report, says: “Today’s CFOs should be prepared for GBS, and understand what it means for the finance function as a whole. Will GBS free them up to focus on more strategic objectives?”

Jamie Lyon, ACCA Head of Corporate Sector, said: “Finance leaders see advantages and disadvantages in moving to a GBS model. While it may enable CFOs to bring more value to the business and play a much more strategic role across the BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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whole enterprise, it could be a distraction to the further transformation of the finance function, particularly if the CFO becomes the corporate owner.”

Creating More Value The ACCA report “Global Business Services: a game changer for the finance organisation?” reveals that GBS could increase the impact of finance by combining comprehensive data, technology and capability across business functions to provide more accurate and actionable business insights, and free up finance chiefs to focus more on all their other responsibilities.

Lyon said: “GBS potentially has benefits such as enabling even quicker market entry and business integration as organisations evolve their business models. It should also give a much better “end-to-end” view of business processes, and that means opportunities to drive further efficiencies.

But it also necessitates CFOs looking across the entire finance activity map and determining what remains in “finance”, and what can move into a GBS operation.

It essentially redefines what is “core” and “non-core” to the finance organisation.”

Leadership and Capability Implications In its assessment of GBS, ACCA looked at what the model meant for the career

pathway of future finance leaders. With many finance activities no longer in the finance function under this new business construct, and instead placed in a global business services function, finance professionals will need to adapt their ways of working to be better prepared for working and reporting cross functionally.

Kops explained: “The ways in which finance professionals interact with professionals in other functional areas become of paramount importance in a GBS model. That’s easier said than done when historically most business models have been demarcated along functional vertical lines.

“To make GBS work, you must develop different capabilities in your finance professionals so that they can operate effectively in a cross functional, matrixed construct. They need to be able to break down those functional barriers, and develop a broader business perspective rather than a narrower finance-orientated viewpoint. It’s a big cultural shift for the finance organisation, and the implications for traditional finance career paths could be profound.”

Lyon added: “The other significant question when transitioning to global business services is who leads the operation. For those businesses which may be considered to be well on the road to GBS, often we see ownership residing with the CFO. But this could simply be because finance has traditionally led the way on transformation initiatives within the organisation.

With the breadth of priorities facing CFOs today, perhaps there is a strong case for ownership to rest elsewhere, for example, with Chief Operating Officers.

One thing is certain, the scale and impact across the enterprise of GBS is potentially very significant, and the benefits possibly very rewarding. It’s got to have the mandate and ownership at board level for these to be fully realised.”

Haiti Programme Earns Award for Digicel

DISCOVER SOUFRIERE’S BEST KEPT SECRET JARDIN CACOA RESTAURANT At Fond Doux Holiday Plantation Weekly Sunday Brunch Time: 12p.m. to 4 p.m.

Refreshing St.Lucian Cuisine With Live Entertainment The Perfect Family Getaway Price: EC$ 60.00 + 18% Tax per Adult Children 8 – 14 yrs pay half price / Children below 8 yrs are free Open Daily For Dinner 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Reservations Recommended 459-7545 or 459-7548

Digicel Haiti Foundation’s CEO Sophia Stransky, left, and Rachel Pierre Champagne, Head of Projects, enjoy the awards ceremony.

Digicel was named a winner at the 2012/13 Corporate Citizens of the Americas (CCA) Award recently at a glittering gala in Washington DC. The CCA Awards are an initiative from The Trust for the Americas with support from the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and AES Corporation.

Digicel was named the winner in the “Vulnerable Communities” category for its Digicel Foundation Education Programme in Haiti which sees it on track to build 150 schools by 2014 and deliver training to over 600 teachers who each receive more than 450 hours of training, mentorship and professional development.

Other winners on the night were IBM Latin America for its “Corporate Service Corps” programme in the Economic Opportunities category and CEMEX for its “Comprehensive Assisted Auto Construction” programme in the Citizen Security category.

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit organisation affiliated with the Organisation of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its initiatives, implemented through local partner organisations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities for vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, the trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance.

Commenting on the Digicel Foundation’s work in Haiti, Digicel Chairman and Founder, Denis O’Brien, said: “We are deeply committed to helping the people of Haiti to build a brighter future for themselves. Our education programme in Haiti sees between 80,000 and 90,000 children being given the opportunity to receive a much-needed education and teachers receiving proper training and support. We would like to thank the Trust of the Americas and its partner organisations for this kind recognition of our efforts.”

South Shore Services Ltd. Beanefield, Vieux-fort Tel: 1(758) 454-5612 Fax: 1(758) 454-7771

OUR SERVICES:

• Vehicle Servicing • Inspection & Evaluation • Estimates on Damaged Vehicles • Body Repairs • Body Painting • Sales of Used & New Parts – Orders on Request QUALITY USED TYRES ON SALE

• We offer a 24 Hour Reliable Wrecker Service • Recovery & Towing • Storage Facilities Available • Pressure Wash E-mail: southshoreltd@hotmail.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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IN THE KNOW

CARIBBEAN BOARD GOVERNANCE TRAINING INSTITUTE (CGTI) TO LAUNCH IN 2014 Milestone Development to Partner with Dr Chris Bart of the Directors College, McMaster University For organizations of all sizes and types in the Caribbean and globally, a position on the ‘Board’ is no longer an entitlement, nor a responsibility to be taken lightly. In 2014, Canada’s foremost expert on corporate governance, Dr. Chris Bart will partner with Saint Lucia’s professional training agency, Milestone Development, to offer the region’s board members the education and guidance they need in the fundamentals of good business governance.

In September 2013, Milestone Development welcomed some of Saint Lucia’s top executives and professionals to its first session of Board Governance Training with Dr. Chris Bart, Founder, Principal and Lead Professor of The Directors College at McMaster University, Canada’s first university accredited corporate director certification program.

Dr. Bart is also the author of two Canadian business bestsellers of 2012: ‘A Tale of Two Employees and the Person Who Wanted to Lead Them’ and ‘20 Essential Questions Directors of Not-for-profit Organizations Should Ask About Strategy’.

Delegates from the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Bank of Saint Lucia, Consolidated Foods Ltd, Invest Saint Lucia, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Lucelec, Saint Lucia Manufacturers’ Association, Viceroy Sugar Beach and other organizations met at the Royal St Lucian conference room for a day of training in one of the most challenging areas of business management, which has until now been missing from the professional development sector in the Caribbean.

As MD of Milestone Development, Lisa Charles, points out: “There are many experienced executives sitting on boards in the country and around the region who have had no formal introduction or training in how to manage themselves, the processes and relationships around the boardroom table, despite the fact that board governance is so crucial to the success of any business or organization.”

With this in mind, Milestone Development Ltd and Bart & Company Inc will partner to form the Caribbean Governance Training Institute (CGTI), to be launched in the first quarter of 2014 as the only regional entity offering governance

Dr. Chris Bartt

Lisa Charles

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By: Dee Lundy Charles training for Caribbean board members, directors and advisors. The institute will be based in Saint Lucia, and offer a 6 session program of certification.

From dealing with conflicts of interest, ‘interlocking’ members and the particular minefields of family-dominated boards, to the emotional intelligence required to handle boardroom interactions, egos and relationships, there is an emerging arm of Human Resource Development which recognizes that entities with high quality board governance succeed, while dysfunctional, warring or dictatorial boards inevitably drag their organizations to ruin.

Commonly in the Caribbean, family feuds and succession sensitivities can hogtie the process of moving forward when a company passes from generation to generation without the structure of good governance: the longer and more difficult the internal transition, the more damage can be done to the progress and longevity of the business.

Listening to the issues thrown out for discussion at Dr. Bart’s first Caribbean seminar, perhaps the most impenetrable minefield of all is among public sector and government-related boards, where all manner of problems can blow up in the face of an ill-prepared member, perhaps the most debilitating characteristic being the frequency of head-changes and semiconstant state of transition.

But the message from every delegate was clear: No longer is it enough to be ‘on the Board’ as a shiny trophy for years served, because it looks good on your CV or because Daddy said so. What goes on in the boardroom dictates the success or failure of any organization, from the humble family business to the complex international corporation, from the local sports club to government policy-makers.

Dr. Chris Bart is truly an expert in the field of governance, with a global landscape of experience which underpins and illustrates his basic premise: that although many of the problems are common to boards across the world, he believes that ‘one size does not fit all’ where structure, processes and procedures are concerned.

He also acknowledges that small nations like the Caribbean islands are further

TO INTRODUCE PARCEL LOCKERS IN THE REGION challenged by the size of the pool of board candidates: there are fewer heads at the top, for which he recommends recruiting the right people at lower levels who can bring expertise and fresh ideas to the table. There is also the intimate nature of island society where everyone knows everyone, if only by reputation: solutions are less obvious for that issue, although a prevailing theme of transparency would certainly help.

At the inaugural seminar, delegates raised some of the major issues experienced by boards and their members in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean. Several significant problems were identified, common to many types of board including private sector businesses, government entities and non-profit organizations, and it was evident from the energetic discussions that even among those who serve at the top, good board governance is considered rare, if not the exception to the norm in the region.

Saint Lucia Tourist Board Chairman Matthew Beaubrun called the training “useful and timely” in terms of strengthening the management and governance of SLTB. “It is a crucial part of Saint Lucia’s economic development, we need to be more effective in managing our resources and strategic planning processes…we realize the importance in terms of having a far more effective board in this critical industry (of tourism).”

Highly-respected lawyer and seasoned member of numerous boards, Stephen McNamara emphasized the increasing importance of good governance, and welcomed the training as an opportunity to strengthen and improve the necessary skills and resources needed to sit on any board in the Caribbean.

“We have had a few companies (in the Caribbean) that have been destroyed specifically because of a lack of governance… therefore it is very important that boards of directors come to understand the importance of governance, what it means and how to implement a governance structure and system for the correct running of their companies, so that shareholders don’t end up disappointed as they have been in some instances recently. If you think of the Enron’s of this world, (their demise was caused by) a lack of governance, and unfortunately some of this has filtered into the Caribbean. Hopefully seminars like this will cause this sort of thing to be ruled out.”

The Caribbean Governance Training Institute will be dedicated to promoting the highest standards of professionalism in the governance of Caribbean organizations of all sizes. Boards are strategic assets and being a member of the Board of Directors is a challenging and important job.

With subject areas covering Principles of Good Governance, Roles, Responsibilities and Culture, Strategic Thinking and Risk Management, the joint venture between Milestone Development and Bart & Company Inc will seek to assist board members in becoming better directors through education and networking, and provide the tools to help directors excel in the twenty-first century boardroom.

For more information about the 2014 launch of CGTI, please visit caribbeangovernancetraining.com or email lisa@caribbeangovernancetraining.com

Aeropost and its Aerocasillas subsidiaries, the region’s leading e-commerce logistics provider has partnered with Integer. pl Group, the owner of the largest network of parcel lockers worldwide. In the months to come, the first parcel lockers will be deployed in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, followed by rollouts in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The project for the Miami based company calls for launching over 100 innovative machines across 30 countries and islands, revolutionizing U.S. to Latin America crossborder trade in the region.

The innovative devices made by the Integer.pl Group allow for Aeropost customers to have a self service option to pick up their packages 24 hours a day/7 days a week and in as little time as 7 seconds.

“We are very excited to bring this technology and innovative solution to the region. Aeropost has continually pushed boundaries enabling e-commerce in Latin America and Caribbean, and this is just one more example of the convenient and forward thinking solutions we provide to merchants and customers alike,” said Jeff Duchesneau, COO of Aeropost.

Aeropost is a cross border e-commerce solution for LATAM customers shopping online in the USA. Aeropost’s network includes 37 countries and 100 stores that provide local presence for payment, package pickup and online shopping assistance.

Integer.pl Group is the second largest postal group in Poland, which includes the largest private post office – InPost, an independent financial and insurance provider – InPost Finance and revolutionary InPost parcel lockers. The company has been quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2007, and, together with InPost and InPost lockers have been successfully revolutionizing the Polish postal and courier sector.

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IN THE KNOW

says Thank You!

First Citizens Regional Manager Carole Eleuthere-Jn Marie and Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy Governer General

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First Citizens Investment Services said thank you in a big way to its customers at its annual Client Appreciation Cocktail on December 11th 2013. About 100 clients and partners were invited to enjoy the evening at the First Citizens office on Brazil Street, held under the theme "Candy Land" in the spirit of the festive season.

Her Excellency Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy also graced the gathering with her presence.

The First Citizens' office on Brazil Street was completely transformed using candy colours like strawberry pink and bright green; with candy canes suspended from the ceiling. Sweet and savoury tantalizing treats were served throughout the night.

Guests were also wowed with a colourful cupcake stand as they danced the night away.

During the event, Regional Manager Carole Eleuthere-Jn Marie expressed the importance that First Citizens places on its clients and on delivering excellent customer service. The purpose of the event, said Eleuthere-Jn Marie, was to let loyal clients know that they are appreciated and to thank them for the support throughout the year. She explained that First Citizens treasured their continued confidence.

"Our clients are our most valuable asset and especially in the current economic climate we must not lose sight that it is their confidence in us that keeps us going," the Regional Manager noted. "In fact, First Citizens would like to thank all our customers and partners who have contributed to our successes in 2013.

We look forward to working with you to achieve our goals in the years ahead."

Eleuthere-Jn Marie also took the opportunity to thank the staff of the Saint Lucia office for their continued dedication to customers in the delivery of service excellence.

Leadership Lauds Long-Serving Colleagues Nineteen LIME Saint Lucia Employees have been honoured for their outstanding and dedicated service to the company.

Every year, as part of its Employee Awards Program, LIME goes all out to ensure colleagues are recognized for their hard work and longstanding service to the company and to its customers. The latest award recipients were acknowledged for their loyal service provided over periods ranging from 10 to 25 years.

The presentations were held recently at the company’s corporate headquarters in Corinth. Among the high-level officials in attendance were LIME Saint Lucia General Manager, Chris Williams; Geraldine Pitt, Chief Executive Officer for the Southern Cluster; and Ronald Joseph, Chief Financial Officer for the Southern Cluster.

The four longest-serving employees were hailed for their 25 solid years of service to the company, namely Lucius Aimable, who is presently a member of the Carrier Services team; Vernette Edward, Store Manager; Cyrus Honora, Store Supervisor; and Ronald Norville of the Technology Department. Geraldine Pitt, CEO Southern Cluster, presented them with their awards.

Trevor Alfred, Robert Emmanus and William “Prekere” Joseph all joined the company in 1993. At present all three are part of the company’s excellent Support & Service Delivery team, and they were presented their awards by General Manager, Chris Williams.

Also receiving recognition for 15 years of sterling service to the company were Laurencia Cadette, Head of Marketing & Communications; Data Analyst, Andre Emmanuel; Claudia Nysa Lionel from the Regional Audit team; Christiana Marcion, Regional Training Manager; Anselm Mathurin, currently serving with the Bahamas team as Marketing Integration Lead; Michelle Plummer, Retail Inventory Analyst; and Hermina Popo, Store - Supervisor Vieux Fort. They were presented by Ronald Joseph.

The 10 Years Service Award went to Fabian Louis of Fleet & Facilities and Erickson McVane of the Support & Service Delivery Department, as well as Shernel Alphonse, Business Process Specialist, Raquel Calderon and Bernard Alvin Charles, both Customer Service Agents at

LIME Blue Coral. The latter two employees are familiar faces for many customers who would have visited the previous Cable & Wireless store at upper Bridge Street and more recently the LIME store at Blue Coral, They all proudly received their awards from Joanna Marius, Head of Consumer Sales & Customer Experience.

The employees were each presented with commemorative crystal blocks and cheques. Addressing the gathering, Chris praised the recipients for their loyalty, adding that their dedication to service over the years had been exemplary.

“It is an honour and a privilege to work with each and every one of the award recipients. You guys are all family to me, a real team that works consistently towards attaining and in fact surpassing our customers’ expectations. This is a really special occasion, because unfortunately gatherings like this one are becoming increasingly rare in the modern corporate world for various reasons. Long-term contracts are less common than they used to be, and employees are less likely to stay in one job for as long as a decade, much less 25 years!,” said Chris. He singled out the Support & Service Delivery trio for special commendation for their two decades of service, referring to them as his “soldiers.”

For media enquiries please contact: Terry Finisterre Tel: +1 758 453 9572 Mobile: +1 758 285 3332 Email: terry.finisterre@lime. comBlackBerry: 29B6F381 About LIME LIME is the Caribbean's largest telecommunications company with a proud history in the region, and which is always working to improve life in the Caribbean.

LIME delivers the very best communication services to governments, businesses and families in 13 Caribbean countries with one unifying promise—building, connecting and serving communities. LIME is part of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, one of the world's leading communications companies.

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Taste A Piece Of Paradise At Soufriere Estate

By Stan Bishop

Explore the Diamond Falls, Mineral Baths & Botanical Gardens

Congratulations to Beachcomber on their 35th Anniversary.

Imagine wandering through a lush tropical rain forest that’s just over a stone’s throw from one of the most scenic world heritage sites -- the Pitons. Imagine visiting a piece of paradise that leaves you looking back at it when the time comes to leave it.

Imagine being mesmerized by beauty and history simultaneously while you’re left breathless by the sights and sounds and feel of this unique experience. Imagine no more... you’re already at Soufriere Estate located in Saint Lucia’s west coast town of Soufriere.

Soufriere Estate has a long and rich history that includes King Louis XIV granting the lush tropical expanse of land over to the three Devaux brothers in the early 18th century. The original home was built in 1745 by the youngest Devaux brother, Henry. Over the years, the house has undergone some physical transformation, including repairs that needed to be done as a result of the natural elements’doing.

The property was later occupied by Andre de Boulay, who fortified the structure of the former plantation house.

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The Devaux and Du Boulay families still own and operate the popular and exquisite rain forest paradise in Soufriere that attracts thousands of tourists annually. In fact, Andre’s daughter, Joan, has managed the Soufriere Estate since 1983, turning the vast estate from an agricultural entity into a viable and spectacular tourist destination.

The property now includes the Botanical Gardens, Diamond Falls, mineral baths, nature trail, sugar mill and the historic and enchanting Soufriere Estate Home.

The Botanical Gardens are filled with beautifully-landscaped tropical plants and flowers as well as some of the sweetest-singing birds on the islands. The tranquility in this west coast paradise will blow you away. Courteous tour guides help you navigate this colourful tropical wonderland. Just be sure to not pick the flowers!

Another key feature of the property is the lush, ever-flowing Diamond Waterfalls that cascades into a nearby river that gives off a tinge of the pungent sulphur

that the nearby volcano produces. The yellow-brown face of the volcano sticks out prominently amid a pool of cool waters and green shrubbery.

massive waterwheel that still turns albeit not for grinding sugar. Small copra ovens and other relics from the rich past adorn this beautiful piece of paradise.

You can also enjoy a therapeutic bath in the three mineral baths located about one minute’s walk away. The water temperature varies in each and you can experience the relaxing feel that King Louis XIV did when he commissioned a bathhouse there in 1784, the ruins of which have been preserved. Actually, one of the baths commissioned by the king has since been restored and you can enjoy bathing there in absolute privacy.

The estate house offers accommodation for groups of visitors wishing to sample some of the tastiest Saint Lucian buffet lunches in the mill house. The courteous restaurant staff ensures that you enjoy the meal, the sights and sounds, and the west coast hospitality you deserve.

Visitors to the Soufriere Estate will no doubt be delighted by the verdant and captivating nature trail that extends from the Botanical Gardens to the old sugar mill. A standout at the old sugar mill is the

If you’re looking for that special closeto-nature feel, then be sure to include Soufriere Estate on your itinerary. You’ve heard about southern hospitality, but Soufriere Estate is certainly the best reason in Saint Lucia to experience the western hospitality.

For more information call: tel: 1(758) 459-7155 email: soufestate@candw.lc website: www.diamondstlucia.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Happy 35th

Anniversary Beachcomber

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FEATURE

35 years of

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#1 Automotive Dealer Since 1977 Beachcomber Ltd was established in 1977. The company was started out of the belief that the country needed a modern automotive dealership providing the best possible Customer Service.

Mr. David Devaux the founder of Beachcomber Ltd. had been the General Manager of the Minvielle & Chastanet (A Devaux Family Business) Motor Division and was responsible for bringing Toyota to St. Lucia in the early 70’s.

In 1977 he acquired the Honda Franchise in the Caribbean and purchased an existing Resort Company whose only asset at the time was land. This entity led to the creation of Beachcomber Ltd. Beachcomber Showroom Display

Beachcomber Ltd as the agent for “Honda” was initially started in a rented property on the Vide Bouteille Highway which was shared with Robert Johnson Construction. Within a year of operations David Devaux developed a standalone operation on approximately five acres of flat land which was sandwiched between the Vigie Beach Hotel to the South (now Rendezvous Hotel) and the Vide Bouteille Road to the East, the CCSS School to the North and the picturesque Carribbean Sea (Choc Bay) to the West.

A state of the art automotive facility was designed and constructed with the design and operational functions influenced by American, Japanese and European technological ideas and concepts. The operation was the first of its kind in St. Lucia and brought the automotive industry / business to a whole new level.

In the seventies the fundamental driving force for Beachcomber Ltd was to offer “prompt, efficient, reliable, courteous service and ‘second to none’ customer service as well as the highest quality vehicles available then”. Today that aim is still the guiding beacon of the company.

The Admin and Finance Team

The World was challenged in the late 70’s by the petrol crisis which drew attention to the gas guzzlers the American population had been A Warm Welcome

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driving for years. This gave an opportunity to the Japanese car manufacturers that had started manufacturing smaller more fuel efficient vehicles.

In 1979, Honda was declared “the Best Small Car in the USA and Canada”. Such statistics could also be echoed here in St. Lucia as well, as Honda completely dominated and captured the St. Lucian market in the late 70’s.

Ordering and receiving vehicles from Japan in the 1970’s was a feat only the strong willed, persistent and patient could accomplish. The communications were longwinded and difficult, production lines in the factories were not mechanized as they are today, shipping schedules from Japan were few and far between.

In 1983 the management of M&C (no longer a family business) decided that part of the company’s future plans was to divest the Automotive Division thus giving up the Toyota brand. David Devaux was quick to go after the brand which he had originally introduced to St. Lucia.

Beachcomber Ltd formally started representing Toyota in 1983.

Beachcomber later became the agents for Mercedes Benz in 1988 and the automobile industry grew through the 80’s and 90’s.

The local market suffered tremendously at the end of the 90’s and early in the new century as a flood of used Japanese vehicles were imported into the Island causing a great loss to the Automobile Dealers and the Country’s / Government’s revenue (duty).

Early in the new century the Government implemented a modified tax structure which aided in increasing the Country’s revenues through tax collection (duty) and made purchasing new vehicles locally through the automotive dealerships more attractive. This gave all the dealers, most of whom were near bankruptcy, a second chance and the ability to continue selling new vehicles.

Beachcomber Ltd acquired the Daihatsu dealership in 2004.

Between the years 2005 – 2010 the local economy, following the trend of the booming World economy and aided by the ICC World Cup Cricket being hosted in the Caribbean region grew, and vehicle sales in the Island increased to unprecedented levels.

Through one of the groups subsidiary’s Island Motors Ltd, the Hyundai brand was acquired in 2012 and today is one of the fastest selling brands in the local market providing a high quality vehicle at an affordable price. Hyundai supplies a wide range of passenger cars, SUV’s and a wide selection of commercial vehicles, pickups, and trucks with a Gross weight from 2.5 tons to 20 tons as well as coaches.

David Devaux - Founder of Beachcomber Ltd.

Beachcomber Ltd constantly strives to achieve the best performance every day.

We aim for sustainable growth for our brands through the creation of life time customers and advocates.

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A Legacy of Quality Beachcomber Ltd like many other dealers has long relied on Toyota’s reputation for quality, durability and reliability (QDR) to set it apart from competitors.

Many people believe several brands are of a high level or that there is not much difference in one brand over another, although this is not actually correct, as one has to take into account total ownership of a vehicle when choosing to make a purchase - Cost of maintenance, fuel efficiency, reliability, re-sale value, etc.

At Beachcomber - People trust us and people trust our brands, this is not a reputation we built over night, we have endured very challenging times through the years and always supported our customers through our service and support and continue to aim at exceeding our customers’ expectations.

Our goal has always been and will continue to be the number one ‘customer focused’ organisation.

To offer the best customer service possible, the right staff/ team is required, we are proud of our team at Beachcomber Ltd, and believe they are the best in the Island and second to none. Beachcomber Ltd would not be the leading Automotive Dealership in the Island without our fantastic committed, loyal, dedicated, motivated and capable team.

Toyota launched the Corolla in 1966 and today, it is the world’s favorite vehicle having sold more than 40 million units since its launch.

The Corolla is launching its 2014 model to a new generation of car enthusiasts, who will be extremely pleased with the new look…….

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THE Management TEAM

David Devaux - Founder / Managing Director

Timothy Moffat - Marketing Manager

Kenneth Ragnanan - Parts Manager

Nasha Bergasse - Finance Director

Susan McKenzie - Admin / HR Manager

Ian Du Boulay - Sales Manager

Shane Wells - Service Manager

Conrad Lovell - Operations Manager

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THE Auto SALES TEAM Offering the World's Leading Automotive Brands

Ian Du Boulay

Antonia (Toni) Hippolyte

Ian joined Beachcomber in 2008 and has made strides through the various departments learning the operations and understanding exactly how they are interconnected. At the beginning of 2013 he assumed the position of Sales Manager where he continually strives to streamline the department and increase Beachcomber’s market share.

Toni could very easily be nicknamed the Popie first joined Beachcomber in 1984 face of the Beachcomber Sales Department having been a constant for the last 25 years. One would be hard pressed to find any vehicle owner in St. Lucia who has not dealt with Toni at one point or another.

Her friendly approach, warm demeanor and sales techniques are tools she has modified over the years to enable her to deal with any and all in our diverse people.

where he contributed to our sales growth until 2007 when he left to explore new opportunities. Popie has been in the automotive business for over 30 years. He has made more friends selling vehicles to them than one can imagine. His personal demeanor has made him a pleasurable salesman to work with and if there is someone who knows the models and brands available at Beachcomber it is Popie.

Adena Richard

Sherma Antoine

Adena has been a member of the

Sherma recently joined Beachcomber

Beachcomber team for the last 14 years.

Efficiency in our administrative processes is in a large part due to Adena’s hard work and dedication. She has also contributed significantly to the satisfaction of many of our new vehicle customers and continually strives to target new niches in our market.

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Neville (Popie) Paul

in the beginning of 2012. She has been in the automotive business for over 8 years having worked with the previous Hyundai Distributors. Having filled numerous positions in the previous Distributorship, she has brought across a wealth of information and training techniques to BCL and Island Motors.

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A PASSION FOR QUALITY SERVICE We Put Our Customers “First” The Brands Beachcomber Ltd represents are trusted by people of all walks of life. It is our passion to stay true to these brands and support them with an emphasis on the “Customer First”.

Our Service Department comprises a Team that is conscientious and friendly and understands the importance of exceeding our customers’ expectations.

This is easy to say, but we honestly believe our customers have to be lifelong partners and we do everything in our power to ensure their requirements are always met.

The Technical Team undergoes constant training through courses and tests over the internet held in our in-house training and meeting facility, these courses are created and graded by our various principals.

We set extremely high standards in our Customer Service and Garage Areas which are always clean and tidy — and can guarantee that they are second to none islandwide.

The team in the workshop has received numerous awards and achievements over the years from our principal brands.

Customer Service Team

Some of the recent Awards & Achievements: • Customer Service Award from Honda (HACE ) –No 1 Winner – Caribbean and Latin America (2013-2014).

• Master Technician – awarded to Mr. Peter Dubois (2011).

• Toyota Award for Exceptional Performance in Service related activities (2003).

• Daihatsu Award for Best Warranty Performance (2007) • Toyota Award for achievement in Field Technical Report Quality and Quantity (2007)

Beachcomber Ltd Service Dept aims to always: • Provide a professional customer service centre • Provide a one-stop shop where people can get the answers and results they need.

• Support and maintain all brands under Beachcomber’s umbrella and provide our clientele with a reliable centre where their car care needs are met.

• Maintain an active data base which makes it easy to contact customers and provide them with relevant information.

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• Maintain a highly qualified work force to meet the ever changing needs of customers and evolution in automobile technology.

Genuine Parts World Inc. Congratulations to Beachcomber Ltd. on your 35th Anniversary

G

Authorised

• MAZDA

• TOYOTA • NISSAN

dealer since 1998 bringing quality and professional service to the South for your convenience

La Tourney, Vieux-fort Tel: 1(758) 454-5867 • Fax: 1(758) 454-8940 Cell: 1(758) 520-6898 / 284-4885 Email: gpw@candw.lc

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INVESTING IN CONTINUOUS TRAINING Ensuring We Fix It Right the First Time

Honda Training St. Lucia 2013

We have understood the concept of fix it right the first time and in our quest to continually achieve this one key element is to continually assess our skill level and keep our technical skills refreshed and updated. As such our technicians are continually exposed to Technical Training both locally and overseas.

We also pioneered the internship program with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) where we have been able to recruit the majority of our technicians and train them to our standards.

Our technicians undergo training at our in-house Training Centre which is used for Honda, Toyota, Mercedes and Hyundai on-line training. They also participate in overseas training programmes in Japan, Jamaica, Miami, Trinidad, Barbados, Panama, California and Mexico as coordinated with our principals.

Our Training meets the highest international standards and is constantly updated and upgraded with new mechanical and technological advancements.

Training in Progress at Beachcomber Training Room BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Pay ALL these bills at SurePay FREE

And More Billers Coming Soon…

Registering For Your SurePay Account Is Easy As Presenting Your Bills and I.D SurePay’s service is available at the following locations: Choiseul Credit Union (Co Op) (3 J E M Salmon Street, Choiseul - 15 Bridge Street, Soufriere) Dennery Community Credit Co Op Society (High Street, Dennery) Elks City of Castries Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (Cnr Brazil and Coral Street) gl foodmarket (Baywalk Shopping Mall, Rodney Bay)

• Pay all your bills at one

location

Glace Supermarkets (Marisule - Bridge Street, Castries) Laborie Co-Operative Credit Union Ltd. (Allan Louisy Street, Laborie - Clarke Street, Vieux Fort) Mon Repos Eastern Co operative Credit Union (Mon Repos - Micoud) Mabouya Valley Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. (Mabouya Valley, Richfond)

sh or cheque

Pay by debit/credit card, ca

National Farmers & General Workers Co-operative Credit Union (Lamar Building, 1st Floor, Bridge Street, Castries - Orange Park, Bois D’Orange, Castries - Louisville Office, Clarke Street, Vieux Fort) SouthWell Inc. (Clarke Street, Vieux fort) St. Lucia Workers Credit Union (#9 Grass Street, Castries - Gablewoods Mall, Sunny Acres, Castries) The Document Centre (Bourbon Street, Castries - Charlery Building, Vieux Fort) United Insurance (Vide Boutielle, Castries - Scotia Bank Bldg, New Dock Road, Vieux Fort) West Coast Credit Union (Anse La Raye - Canaries) BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Our Modern Facilities and Equipment

The facility is pristine and modern with a compliment of over 20 working bays and 11 hoists capable of lifting vehicles in excess of 20 tons.

This is all complimented by a pre-delivery inspection and preparing area, a transmission and engine room, specialty tool room and modern diagnostics equipment capable of servicing all vehicles.

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Our Teams you can Depend on

Our Team of Trained Service Technicians

Our Body Repair Specialists

Our Pre-delivery Team BusinessFocus Jan Jan / / Feb Feb || 75 75 BusinessFocus

Careers Made at beachcomber A Tribute to Our Long Serving Employees “I’ve always believed that our staff is our most important asset.”

– David Devaux Beachcomber’s success has been shaped and delivered through a Team of caring and loyal employees who thrived on a culture of Customer Service and Satisfaction to position the company as the leading automotive enterprise in Saint Lucia.

Several of the Team Members have made working at Beachcomber a life time career, serving the company for many years and creating an inherent corporate culture driving its success. They serve as role models and for the most part lead the rest of Team in offering unsurpassed customer service and support.

The company wishes to salute these persons for their loyalty and long years of service.

Some of the long standing team members of the company are:

Over 30 years

Nasha Bergasse

Robert Charlery

Edmund Williams

Anselm Blanchard

Rufus Beharry

Kenneth Ragnanan

Over 20 Years

Susan Entwistle-McKenzie

BusinessFocus Jan Jan / / Feb Feb BusinessFocus

Toni Hippolyte

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Noah Williams

Ulric George

Sean Mondesir

Kernice Clovis

Jonas Sylvester

Over 15 Years

Donavan Lorde

Lassa Williams

Michael Philgence

Shane Wells

Merlyn Henry

Aaron Willie

Kenton Augustin

Simon Louis

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BEACHCOMBER PARK A Labour of Love – Creating A Unique Work Environment

There are a small group of Team Members at BCL who never get the appropriate recognition for the monumental task they are charged with. They are the Team Members from the Maintenance, Construction and Security departments.

The facilities and ambience at Beachcomber Automotive Park are positioned in a tranquil, environmentally friendly setting with large mature Samaan Trees, manicured gardens, lawns and the sandy West coast beach of St. Lucia a few hundred feet away.

The buildings and workshops are always well maintained, the floors spotless and the whole operation is one that every vehicle manufacturer’s representative who has ever visited the facility, has shared their feelings and stated how impressed they are with the entire operation.

The team that works out of BCL prides themselves for working at such a naturally friendly location. The facility and its vicinity however did not just happen to accidentally look like it does, the small group of meticulous gentlemen who constantly do everything possible to keep the pristine environment are part of the reason the facilities’ are what they are.

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Unsung Heroes of Beachcomber’s Security Staff BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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BEACHCOMBER LTD. A CARING CORPORATE CITIZEN Supporting the Needs and Interests of our People and Communities Beachcomber as a business has grown over the years through the support of the entire St Lucian community who have purchased the company’s products and services and in the process making us the number one automotive business in the island.

The company in recognition of this support and its success has established internal policies for guiding its corporate social responsibility by giving back to the community in the interest of improving the lives of all St Lucians and making St Lucia a better place to live.

Where possible Beachcomber Ltd sought to get involved in all areas of the community and over the years is proud to have assisted several charities and organisations with various donations.

• A donation of a Toyota Grandace Passenger vehicle was given to the Bordelaise Correctional Facility in 2005.

• In 2011 Beachcomber Ltd donated US$ 10,000.00 ($27,000.00) to the Royal St. Lucia Police Force. This donation was to assist the Force with acquiring spare parts for their fleet of vehicles.

Presenting a Cheque for $27,000.00 to the Police

Detailed below are some of the major projects executed by the company: • In 1988 Honda Caribbean (a subsidiary of Beachcomber) started the Honda scholarship fund to assist gifted children whose parents were unable to provide music lessons at the St Lucia School of Music. The funds were generated via a Raffle of vehicles donated by Honda Caribbean – in 1988 new Honda Accord and in 2003 a new Honda CR-V.

Presenting a vehicle to the School of Music

• In May 2009 Honda Caribbean and American Honda Motor Company Ltd donated a new model Pre-Production Honda CR-V to the Division of Technical Education/Management Studies’ (DTEMS) – of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to facilitate the study of Motor Mechanics at the College.

The intended use of the vehicle was for the automotive students to dissemble and assemble the vehicle to obtain a better understanding of the newest technology available in the industry.

• Engines, transmission and other sub assembly are continually donated to the Technical Division of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College for the purpose of hands on experience of new technology.

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Sponsorship of Junior Tennis Tournament

In addition Beachcomber Ltd has supported the following organizations : •

•

•

•

•

• •

Graduation gifts donated to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College annually Graduation gifts to Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School Sponsorship of Junior Tennis Tournament Supporter of St Lucia Animal Protection Society Donations to the Johnson Home for the Aged.

Supporter of the Marion Home Supporter of CARE.

Happy 35th Anniversary Beachcomber

LAND FOR SALE 3B 3B

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13,142 sq ft 17A

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Inquiries email: sales@conceptholdingsslu.com www.conceptholdingsslu.com

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Inquiries email: sales@conceptholdingsslu.com www.conceptholdingsslu.com BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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An Interview with David Devaux, Managing Director, Beachcomber Group of Companies

By Stan Bishop

Business

Focus Magazine: What prompted you to venture into private enterprise – specifically, the auto industry?

David Devaux: First of all, I have been in private enterprise since my return to St.Lucia even though I wasn’t actually working for myself. When I came back from Canada in the early 1970s, I started working with Minvielle and Chastanet in the Automotive Division. I’ve always been mechanically-inclined -- being a pilot -- and have always been involved in the marine industry and boats. The automotive field came naturally to me. So when I came back from Canada, I started working with my father and Harold Devaux at M&C and

Beachcomber Resorts Limited, a company owned by Chips Rafferty and a few other people, were looking for someone to buy out their shares. I was able to negotiate with the bank and eventually bought those shares and changed the name to simply ‘Beachcomber Ltd.’

Business Focus Magazine: What was the company’s early experience like?

David Devaux: I need to mention

that while I was still at M&C, I had recognized that British Leyland – which was extensively sold by M&C – and Ford out of the UK had a short lifespan. The quality of these vehicles was decreasing,

to take on the agency – not just for Saint Lucia but for much of the RHD Caribbean.

Soon after I submitted my resignation and left the M&C Group.

Business Focus Magazine: So the name Beachcomber is not unique to you, right?

David Devaux: Beachcomber Resorts

Limited pre-existed my owning this company. But, obviously, it wasn’t going to continue the resort business. So I had the name changed to Beachcomber Limited.

Since we’re located close to the beach, I had seen the Seagulls flying over the beach and that’s how our logo came to be three Seagulls.

Business Focus Magazine: What were some of your early challenges as a young entrepreneur?

David Devaux being interviewed by Lokesh Singh and Stan Bishop was basically made General Manager of the Automotive Department after a couple of years. That’s how I entered the auto industry.

How I ended up in the auto industry at Beachcomber is another story. And that evolved from the sale of Minvielle and Chastanet to Booker McConnell in the mid-1970s when my father and Harold Devaux – who were the joint owners of M&C -- decided to sell the company. It became apparent to me after a couple of years working with Booker McConnell that I was not in the right place. I didn’t agree with the policies they had and I didn’t agree with the attitude that they had towards Saint Lucia in general. So I looked around to explore other potential opportunities and discovered that BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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the prices were outrageous and M&C was mostly bringing them in on special order.

Basically, you’d place your order and three or four months later, you got your vehicle.

The only vehicles they actually kept in stock for any length of time were the Mini Mokes which later went out of production in England and although later resurrected in Australia the prices out of Australia were too high for this market. Toyota at that time was searching the Caribbean looking for a distributor in each territory.

In 1972/73, I approached them and was able to bring Toyota vehicles into St. Lucia through M&C. Honda became available to me around 1976/77 and as I had already acquired the Beachcomber property It seemed like a natural fit. So I arranged with Honda

David Devaux: Obviously, when I left M&C, I didn’t exactly do so with the blessings of my Father. My father had stayed on with Booker McConnell and although I did not leave M&C on bad terms he was unhappy that I left 'his' Company.

However, I knew that leaving there was something I had to do. Getting the banks to assist with financing wasn’t easy.

Luckily, I had purchased (Beachcomber Limited) free and clear when I’d purchased the shares and was thus in a position to be able to mortgage the property. In those days, a very forward thinking Manager at CIBC saw the potential and allowed me to borrow the money from them to construct our first building. We were lucky to find a steel-frame that had been brought to St.Lucia for the building of a Baptist church that was never constructed. That building became the core of what is now Beachcomber Limited.

Business Focus Magazine: Money has always been an issue for most young entrepreneurs. What were some of the odds you faced?

David Devaux: Money was a major problem. In the auto business, you have to prepay your vehicles. Whether you put them on a letter of credit or you prepay them with the manufacturer, this has to

be done before they go into production.

A 60 to 90 day order lead time plus you’re looking at another 30 to 60 days of shipping, depending on where they’re coming from and of course you have to have a steady stream of vehicles always on order. So yes financing was a major challenge for us.

Business Focus Magazine: As a new dealer for Japanese-made vehicles in an environment that was predominantly British and American-driven, how did you fit into the scheme of things?

David Devaux: Let’s not forget that

the Japanese had already made inroads.

Toyota had basically dominated the market. Companies like Ford and others were slowly on their way out of Saint Lucia with other Japanese manufactures also coming in.

Business Focus Magazine: How difficult was it for you to make the transition to the new business venture at Beachcomber Limited? It must have been challenging for you to sacrifice your career as a Commercial Pilot and M&C manager in search of a new opportunity?

David Devaux: It was and it took a lot of

thought on my part as to the uncertainty about where I really wanted to be. There were times when I questioned whether I had made the right decision and whether I would have been better off staying in Canada. However, there were personal, as well as family reasons, for my making the decision to come back home. I’d also had

enough of the cold climate after spending 15 years there. So I thought it would be best to come back home and be in the industry that I understood and could make the greatest contribution to.

Business

Focus Magazine: The auto industry has changed dramatically since the early days when you got into it. What would you say are some of the requirements in order to be successful in the industry today?

David Devaux: I think that if one goes into any industry to be a pioneer, one has to be willing to make sacrifices. You also need to understand that, at a minimum, the first 5 to 10 years of growth should not be the ones in which you take the profits and put them in your pockets. You put the profits back into the business. And that’s a big mistake a lot of Saint Lucian entrepreneurs make today. They see profits and they think, ‘Oh, well, let me splash out, let me take a big salary.’ At the end of the day, if you don’t grow the business, you will find that the business will fail. In today’s world, business at a standstill does not survive. And we at Beachcomber Limited have been successful by moving ahead constantly. Every year, we’ve done a special project. Every year, we’ve expanded in one direction or another, such as new agencies, new buildings, or new services in the areas of the automotive industry. If you don’t do that, you’re dead in the water.

Business

Focus

Magazine: The

automotive industry is much competitive today especially

more with

the limited market size and increased competition – the challenges and approaches of leadership will be what makes the difference in areas such as management, direction and strategy. Can you speak of that?

David Devaux: I’ve always believed that

our staff is our most important asset.

Some of our staff have been with us from the inception. Many have been here for close to 30 years. We have seen staff come through the ranks of car washes to being senior supervisors and Managers. Our aim is to always promote within the company wherever possible. Another component that we place special emphasis on is training. We insist that most of our staff have to do a minimum number of hours per week of training. Now that we’re in the position where internet training is available, we have some very good programs offered by some of our principals. So our people get certified by all our Manufactures on a regular basis. The automobile has changed dramatically and the days when just about anybody could work on a vehicle are gone.

These days you have to plug in a computer to a vehicle to be able to fix it. Added to that fact, is that the software changes very often usually from year to year. So if you’re not “au courant” with what’s going on, then you’re not going to succeed.

Business Focus Magazine: So from a

leadership point of view, are you saying that the leader of an organization requires an understanding of all aspects of the operation?

New Hyundai Building, Showroom and Beachcomber,s Executive Offices Under Construction BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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you, too, would have been influenced by individuals along the way. Would you care to share with us who some of those individuals are and some of the issues they brought to the fore?

David Devaux: I’d be hard-pressed to find

somebody who fits that description, to be quite honest. I’ve always had a drive which I developed over the years. That drive and a discipline to succeed were what spurred me on. I am never satisfied with sitting still.

The day I start sitting still is the day I will begin to get bored. And I hate being bored.

Business Focus Magazine: After 35 years in business, Beachcomber Limited is now celebrated as being number one in the industry. You represent many of the premium and prominent vehicle brands.

What’s next in line for the company?

David Devaux: We’re currently putting

David Devaux Interacting with Staff

David Devaux: That’s right. No question

about it. You also have to understand that you have to keep moving. I keep telling my staff that there’s no sitting still. Don’t ever think that you should sit still and be satisfied because the day you do that is the day you begin to lose ground.

There were other major moments for us, too. The leadership position in the industry that our Customer Relations staff has put us in has been tremendous.

We’ve recently been given the number one position in the Southern Hemisphere (Caribbean, Latin America and Central

Business Focus Magazine: 35 years in business is a long time. Technically, you’ve created an institution. Along the way you must have had some fond memories of the issues and events that you’ve achieved and celebrated. What would some of those be?

David Devaux: I would say that some of the functions that we’ve had were the best moments. There’s a picture that hangs on the wall in my office that was done in gold leaf. It was presented to us by Toyota Senior Officials who actually came to St. Lucia for our tenth anniversary. That was a special moment for all of us.

David Devaux Recieving a gift from Toyota Senior Officials at Beachcomber's 10th Anniversary

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up a new building. Once that’s finished, we have other projects that we will be starting. This building will house our new Hyundai agency which we acquired in 2012. The ground floor will be for the new showroom and sales offices. Our executive offices will go upstairs while the area that currently houses the executive offices will be converted into additional space for service and other facilities. We have enough to keep us busy for at least the next ten years, really. We’re expanding our facilities. We don’t intend to stand still.

Business Focus Magazine: Will this new showroom be air-conditioned?

David Devaux: It’s going to be a David Devaux with Former PM John Compton & Toyota Senior Officials

combination of sorts. My feeling is that green is the way to go. And that is why our main showroom is designed specifically to attract the breeze and to be in a landscaped, plant like setting. We also find that not many customers like the air-conditioned environment. Also, we will soon be installing an air-conditioning unit which will be part solar and part mains electricity.

Approximately 60% of the energy will be from solar power. Eventually, we hope to convert all of our air-conditioning to that very principle. We’re going green as much as we can.

America), according to a survey conducted

by J.D. Powers for Honda Motor Co. (HACE award) We in little St.Lucia got the number one position for 2013-2014. We beat out other major countries in our hemisphere to become number one. That’s our latest accolade. It feels proud to do that because it wasn’t done by me – it was done principally by our Service Manager and his staff, our customer relations people and our advisors in the various departments.

They have made that effort by following the core principles of customer relations in order to achieve that. If you go through our building, you will see accolades going back almost every year. That’s been achieved by the pride and hard work of our staff.

Business Focus Magazine: We live in an environment where the emphasis seems to be on going green? There are concerns that with the increased use of fossil fuels and pollution. What are your thoughts on the hybrid technology in vehicles?

Business Focus Magazine: As a leader, you obviously influence your staff. But

David Devaux: The hybrid vehicle is a technology unto itself. I’m not sure that

Towards a brighter future

FINANCE

Congratulations to Beachcomber Ltd. on their 35th Anniversary.

• Investments through the replacement of term Deposits (flexible interest frequencies) • Loan Financing – Commercial & Consumer – (Consumer/personal, Vehicles, Machinery, Equipment, Commercial Mortgages, Land, Debt Consolidation • Lease Financing (for vehicles) • Premium Financing (for vehicles) Sagicor Financial Centre Choc Estate, Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 1(758) 452-4272 or 1(758) 285-5868 / 70 Fax: 1(758) 452-4279 Email: sagicorfin@candw.lc Web: www.sagicor.com

Congratulations to Beachcomber on their 35th Anniversary

Advertising Specialties & Promotional Products * Special Events * Calendars

* Corporate Gifts * Holiday Give Aways

* Personal Diaries * Much More........

We’ll Put Your Name Upfront Tel: 758 453-1149 • Fax: 758 453-1290 P. O. Box 2003, John St, La Clery, Castries, St. LuciaBusinessFocus Jan / Feb | 85

we’re fully prepared for it in Saint Lucia. The technology for the lithium ion batteries of which we have heard a lot about is still not at its peak. It’s going to take a while before the technology permeates down to what I would call the underdeveloped world.

It’s done very well in the United States because people there recognize that it’s very environmentally friendly as well as easier to service in that environment. We have a learning curve here with a hybrid vehicle -- it’s a lot more complex. So I think the interest here is going to come but it’s going to do so gradually.

dam the rivers and many get washed out to sea, where they damage the coral reefs, yet absolutely nothing is being done about

David Devaux: It was easy because it

evolved over time. It wasn't just something they had to do overnight. Technology for motor vehicles did not go from one extreme to another overnight. Each stage has taken time to evolve. So we’ve adapted pretty nicely.

Business Focus Magazine: So you’re saying that the pioneers who invested in that technology will face some challenges for a while?

David Devaux: That’s correct. There are a few people who have brought in electric vehicles. We have a hybrid vehicle -- the Prius -- the first hybrid to come into Saint Lucia. But it’s going to take some changes for such a technology to become popular here. It’s going to take an understanding by the powers-that-be that in order to encourage the hybrid technology some incentives will have to be offered. This is because the vehicle is very expensive. And so far that has not happened. Even though promises have been made in Budgets etc. they’ve not been enacted so until the government makes a conscious effort to offer these incentives, then it’s going to be difficult to promote the technology here.

Business Focus Magazine: Clearly, pollution seems to be a major problem.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

David Devaux: Unfortunately, pollution

seems to be inherent in the developing countries. St.Lucia has a major problem with plastic bottles. Everywhere you look, there is a wanton discarding of empty plastic bottles of all kinds. They pollute and

Business Focus Magazine: Given the fact that we now live in an environment that is more technology-driven, how have your staff been able to make the adjustments in the auto industry and the transformation from being a mechanic to a technician?

Business

After Sales Team Leaders

it. It has been suggested for some time now that a deposit be put on these bottles.

If that is done, I believe that we would all be surprised to see how quickly the problem would be lessened. But nobody seems to want to do anything about the situation and -- unfortunately -- those who are in the business of selling products that entail using plastic bottles don’t seem too interested, either. So there’s no leadership on that score but something needs to be done. Another area of concern, that I will elaborate on further, is that of used vehicles and their assorted parts such as tyres, batteries etc. Invariably they end up by the side of the road and become the problem for the solid waste authority yet every month used vehicles pour unregulated into St.Lucia some as much as 12-15 years old. It is the discards and pollution of other Countries, principally Japan, being dumped on our shores.

Focus Magazine: What are some of the leadership approaches and initiatives that you’ve executed that have enabled you to manage and be as successful as you’ve been over the years?

David Devaux: I think that once you’ve got great staff behind you, working with you and understanding where you’re going, you can go anywhere you want to. And that is where leadership comes in. More and more of our staff are getting qualified with degrees. Almost all of them have CXC`s. or are graduates of the Sir Arthur Lewis Technical College. This is a necessary part for where we’re going from here.

The tech-savvy generation that we have coming up is the generation that’s going to take us forward.

Business Focus Magazine: What’s the staff compliment of Beachcomber Limited?

David Devaux: We employ over a hundred

people, which include those employees from Tropical Shipping - our shipping division. But it must be noted that I have a certain viewpoint about my employees.

I don’t just see them as employees. I see them as associates. They are the ones who have helped build this company. They are thus an integral part of the company.

Business Focus Magazine: Tell us a bit more about the Tropical Shipping unit.

David Devaux: Back in 1991 Tropical

Shipping out of South Florida were looking for a new agent with new expanded facilities and luckily at that time we were in a position to satisfy their requirements.

Since that time Tropical Shipping has grown from strength to strength and now provides the best and most reliable shipping service from the United States and throughout the Caribbean.

Business Focus Magazine: Any other

Beachcomber Staff Oufitted for Toyoya President's Visit During Beachcomber 10th Anniversary Celebrations

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comments you wish to make?

nicely with a segment of the society who couldn’t afford to buy a new vehicle, they fail to recognize that there is a used vehicle market already existing in Saint Lucia and it makes it difficult for people to sell their traditional used vehicles. In addition, the ‘Foreign ‘used vehicles that come all the way from Japan are as much as 12 to 18 years old. Why are we allowing vehicles of that age to come into Saint Lucia? I mean, what is the point of it? The thing is that in one or two years’ time, these vehicles will end up abandoned on the roadside polluting the environment even further.

We don’t have anyone here who collects these vehicles and there’s no place where they can be recycled. They basically end up in the landfill or sit there and decay on the roadside. And that is certainly an environmental problem that is going to get worse.

David Devaux Promoting his Products

David Devaux: My greatest concern for

St.Lucia besides the present economic one is environmental. My principal concerns would be the used vehicles that are pouring in from Japan. Unfortunately, it has become sort of a political football over the years between the various governments. One government puts in the environment controls while the other takes them out. While it is recognized that the used vehicles from Japan fits

Focus Magazine: While we’re on the subject of the used Japanese vehicles being imported here, wouldn’t it seem a better idea to invest one’s money in a new vehicle instead?

Japanese vehicles coming into Saint Lucia every month. Approximately 30 to 35 new vehicles come into Saint Lucia every month. So the importation of used vehicles far outnumbers the new vehicles.

Unfortunately, people are getting snared into bringing in used vehicles they’ve seen advertised on the Internet which may have many problems associated with them not the least of which is that the vehicles are designed for different road and climatic conditions and then they

Business

David Devaux: Of Course, but the

importation of used vehicles is on the increase. Right now it is estimated that there are approximately 65 to 70 used

Pool Department

have no recourse. At the end of the day, you’re far better off buying a new vehicle, the cost of ownership is far less, it has the latest technology and there is full warranty and after sales support for what is one of the largest investments that the consumer will make. Plain and simple!

Tel: 1-758-452-5080 Email: parts@beachcomberltd.com Beachcomber Ltd, P.O.Box 930, Vide Boutielle Road, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies.

From Foundation to Finish Our Swimming Pool Department has access to thousands of products from numerous suppliers around the globe. Not only do we have access but we carry every major brand on the planet. We sell equipment to get you started from foundation to finish. We offer more than just products.

We offer excellent service.

•

Pool Chemicals / Chlorine • Jets & Skimmers • Surface Finishes, Tiles • Water Pumps / Filters • Pool Pilots (Salt Systems) • Heaters / Lights (LED) • Ladders & Rails • Vacuum Hoses / Brushes / Nets

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Fully STOCKED PARTS Department Where Knowledge and Availability are Key Over the years the Parts Department has grown the inventory level of many thousands of line items.

You may ask the question what really sets us apart from the rest of the competition?

• A fully stocked warehouse • Quick and efficient service • Professional and courteous staff “Knowledge is the Key" and it's for this reason ongoing training is part of the culture here at Beachcomber Ltd. The level of training varies from attendance at international conferences held by our suppliers / principals to online training and certification from manufacturer courses such as the Honda Best Practice program.

Management and Staff of Parts and Pool Supplies Department

The Parts Department like the Service Department is part of what is considered the After Sales area of an Automotive Dealership.

The Parts Department is charged with the responsibility of procuring and supplying spare parts and ancillary products for the various makes and models of vehicles sold

by Beachcomber Ltd. The team in the Parts Department consists of 17 individuals and is lead by the Parts Manager, Kenneth Ragnanan who has been with the organisation for over 20 years.

There is a close relationship/link between the vehicle sales and service departments to ensure all required parts and accessories/ancillary products are ordered on a timely basis and in the right quantities.

All machines require working parts to be changed from time to time as wear and tear are unavoidable. When such a part is required one can be assured Beachcomber Ltd have done everything possible to ensure that the required part is available.

Parts Department

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We also carry out in house training for our Parts staff on a regular basis to keep them up to date with the industry standards.

Other Training includes certification from the Dale Carnegie Training institute and locally run courses in areas of computer software applications and customer service.

Beachcomber operates one of the best Parts Departments in St. Lucia and the wider OECS territories. Beachcomber is equipped with electronic parts catalogues for each of the Brands it represents; this assists us in sourcing parts for any vehicle made by any of our brands, whether the vehicle was purchased locally from our dealership or as a second hand unit from overseas.

SWIMMING POOL DEPARTMENT Keeping Your Pools Clear and Protecting the Environment Beachcomber, besides being an automobile distributorship has also been able to establish a ‘Top of the Line’ Swimming Pool Department. This specialized department was born some 25 years ago when Mr. Devaux noted the short fall in supply of swimming pool equipment etc. on island and today we are proud to advise that Mr. Devaux’s vision has grown to become the largest supplier of swimming pool equipment and supplies on island, both in volumes and the range of products.

Kenton Augustin

What can you expect from us?

This equipment includes:

We stock and sell quality products from the world's leading manufacturers such as Hayward, Pentair, Autopilot, Aquacal, SGM, CL industries, Lo-Chlor and Tropi Clear. We offer you a total package for all you will need to design, build, renovate and maintain your swimming pool.

1.

Salt Chlorine Generators from Autopilot:

salt is natural, it is also economical and available everywhere. Salt is environmentally friendly and its conversation is energy efficient.

When the salt passes thought the Autopilot Cell, it is converted to chlorine. After sanitizing the pool water, it turns back into salt, and the process begins all over again. The best part is that the salt is at a much lower level than even contact lens solution, so there is no 'salty' taste to the water.

2. Copilot:

this is a combination of salt chlorine generators and ozone. This combination is often referred to as the strongest team in pool water sanitization. The Ozone destroys up to 99.99% of microorganism in the pool such as bacteria, viruses, cysts, yeasts, molds, mildew, cryptosporidium and giardia.

3. Variable Speed Pumps and Motors:

These pumps allow you to save 90% in utility cost annually. Variable speed pumps gives you the option to custom program the optimum speed for each function, resulting in hundreds in energy savings each year.

Pool Supply Department

What's distinguishes us from the rest?

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•

•

•

A one stop pool store, with access to thousands of product lines Products boasting the latest technological advancements and innovations.

We provide a personalized touch with each client, listening and understanding their needs, ensuring they receive value for money.

We offer research and professional advice ensuring each job, no matter the size or complexity, is done right.

Upon entering Beachcomber you notice our well-kept environment. We believe that we have a responsibility to take care of it. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that we carry energy efficient and environmentally friendly equipment to keep it that way.

4. Led lights:

These lights use 50%-75% less energy than conventional incandescent and halogen lights. LEDs last thousands of hours longer than incandescent lights resulting in minimum replacement cost and disposal.

5. Solar-Clear natural water purifiers:

Solar-Clear reduces chemical consumption by up to 80%. This unit is powered by the Sun and utilizes natural mineral ions. When the sun rays hit the solar cell energy is converted to a low electrical current, which hits the anode releasing copper and zinc ions into the pool water. These ions reduce chlorine consumption by up to 80%.

The company has a dedicated team in the Pool Department headed by Kenton Augustin who has been trained in the USA and is a Certified Pool and Spa Operator. This certification is conducted by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) this certification is widely accepted in the US and across the globe.

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SALUTES A STRATEGIC PARTNER

TROPical ShiPPing

...because a great shipping experience begins with great

ShiPPing SOluTiOnS Easy, fast, reliable shipping

Fixed-day, on-time sailing schedules Two convenient ports: Castries and Vieux Fort Full Container Loads (FCL) Regular Inter-Island routes Less than Container Loads (LCL)

Tropical Shipping would like to take this opportunity to Congratulate Beachcomber Ltd. on its 35 years of service.

In 1991 Beachcomber was appointed agents for Florida Based Tropical Shipping. Tropical Shipping who operates two offices in St Lucia, located in Castries and Vieux Fort respectively is one of the largest carriers providing weekly ocean freight services to and from St Lucia. When it comes to shipping, customers need a carrier that can deliver convenient and reliable transportation solutions. At Tropical Shipping that’s our stock and trade – RELIABILITY. It’s why we have grown into one of the largest containerized cargo carriers to the Caribbean serving on more than 30 locations.

In addition to providing Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) ocean services from North America to the Caribbean, Tropical also offers inland transportation, National pickup services within North America, air freight, project cargo services, Inter-Island Ocean freight services and comprehensive marine cargo insurance. Tropical has also partnered with Kestrel Liner Agencies to provide Global connections into the region. Tropical introduced a small package service from its Miami receiving warehouse to St Lucia.

“Our services are distinct as our customers and we handle every aspect of the shipping process to make it easy convenient and efficient” said Gerard Bergasse, Tropical’s Inter-Island Business Development Manager and Country Manager St Lucia.

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Project Cargo Refrigerated Service Consolidation Service Online Tracking and Booking Marine Cargo Insurance Local to Global Service Friendly helpful staff

St. lucia 758.457.0900

800.638.TROP (8767) Outside West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale

561.881.3999 West Palm Beach 305.805.PORT (7678) Miami 954.748.5777 Fort Lauderdale Email: CustomerCare@tropical.com

www.tropical.com © 2009 Copyright of Tropical Shipping and Construction Company Limited Tropical Shipping and its logo are trademarks of Tropical Shipping and Construction Company Limited STL1402-1109-A-00

Reliable Radiators

For Reliability Efficiency & Security Contact the Specialist * Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff * Speedy Settlement of Claims * Couteous Service * Competitive Rates

Mongiraud, Gros-Islet Tel: 1(758) 458-4055 Cell:1(758) 519-5219 We Help You to get from HERE....

... To HERE

38 Micoud St. P. O. Box 767, Castries Tel: (758) 452 3323 / 453 2357 Fax: (758) 452 6072 Business Hours:

Mon to Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Sat: 8:30 am - 12:00

Clarke St., Vieux Fort Tel: (758) 454 6064 / 454 8550 Business Hours:

Fax: (758) 454 0853

Mon to Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00am – 4:00pm Sat 8:00am – 1:00pm

We Specialize in: • Repairs • Flushing • Aluminum Repairs & Aluminum Tanks • Rescores • Plastic Tank Replacements

Email:reliableradiators@hotmail.com

e.mail: stl_magic@hotmail.com

NORTH SOUTH

ST. LUCIA WORKERS’ CREDIT UNION

Sales & Services of

• Petrol Sales (Gas Station) • Cooking Gas (20lbs) • Auto Parts for most vehicles • Servicing of most vehicles • Sale and installation of • Batteries • Electronic Checking of most Vehicles and Charging Systems

Credit Unions are where you belong!

Errold Cyril-Managing Director

Chausee Road, Castries Tel: 1(758) 452-2495 or 452-1974 or 452-5502 Fax: 1(758) 452-2496 Email: northsouthent@live.com

We Offer: • Shares and loans insured at no cost • Income tax deductible shares • Dividends on shares • Patronage refund • Scholarship for members’ children • Health & Life Insurance P. O. Box 1166, #9 Grass Street, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I. Tel: (758) 453-2706 / 451-7705

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Hiace The Hiace has led the market with over 70% of commuter sales over the last 30 years.

It has proven itself year after year to be not only efficient but also reliable and durable and able to keep better resale value than any other model in its category. It is true to the Toyota name as being the ultimate workhorse.

Hilux Over the last 30 years the Toyota Hilux has been known as the ultimate pickup on the market. Pickups that were sold before Beachcomber became the agents in 1983 are still on the road some 30 years later. It is still the ‘king of the hill’ and one of the best offroad rugged vehicles in the market. With some of the modifications made by Toyota, the Hilux has expanded its range of features by adding leather interior and an automatic transmission making it not only the ultimate off-road experience but also a more executive one at that!

Rav4 The all-new Rav4, is a bolder, sportier model offering a more contemporary and spacious interior. Throughout the years, three generations of RAV4 have led the way in the areas of QDR: Quality, Durability and Reliability, setting new standards and receiving recognition with multiple awards being presented by the automotive industry. New technologies within the cabin are available for the active and dynamic owner of the RAV4, including such features as: clearance back sonar, push start and smart entry, as well as steering wheel mounted controls for audio and Bluetooth hands-free phone, among other options, which are designed to make the overall driving experience more enjoyable.

Corolla Corolla is the highest selling model of all time having sold over 40 million units since it first hit the road in the 1966. The all new Corolla was created with a stylish exterior, a premium interior with upgraded features and enough technology to satisfy your entire network. Toyota took the best of everything you love about driving and perfected it, totally evolving the Corolla.

With its dramatic styling, exhilarating performance and cutting-edge technology and functionality, the next generation of Corolla DNA will exceed your high expectations.

Its many attractions will send your spirits soaring. With a bigger engine size than the previous generation, its technology boasts greater fuel economy and performance.

Yaris The Yaris is the epitome of value for money! Anyone looking for an economical, fuel efficient, durable and reliable vehicle should not hesitate with the Yaris. Toyota totally redeveloped the Yaris by taking all these characteristics and merging them with enlarged dimensions and a new stylish and dynamic exterior. Its interior quality showcases Toyota’s famous Japanese manufacturing by exceeding its class using selected materials and a high quality finish. To ensure excellent handling stability and ride comfort, body rigidity as the foundation of vehicle performance was realized through an improved body structure.

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CRV With the New 2014 Honda CR -V when it concerns the exterior, we can describe it in a word– remarkable! Versatile in every way, with a strong and aggressive look.

It boasts a roomy, comfortable interior, solid performance and plenty of standard tech features, the 2014 Honda CR-V stands out in this highly competitive class. Its interior is intelligently thought out and boasts strong fit and finish. Its ride is extremely comfortable and quiet, also handling and steering are still high points.

Accord For over 40 years, the Honda Accord has represented everything that Honda has stood for as an automaker; Ingenuity, excellence and value. This executive vehicle gives an amazingly smooth ride and is packed with power with a 3.5 Liter V6. The Accord's cabin is comfortable, functional, and very attractive. It is amongst the quietest luxury sedan on the road and it offers an amazing amount of technical features.

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Hyundai is one of the fastest growing automotive brands worldwide, making extremely attractive models loaded with premium technology. With recent advances in their quality, durability and reliability, Hyundai has become a fierce competitor in the market. Hyundai has a fantastic range of vehicles from small passenger cars to luxury sedans beaming with technology as well as some of the most highly equipped and attractive SUV’s.

The commercial line of Hyundai ranges from small trucks to large Coasters with seating capacities from 9 persons to more than 45 persons. The Hyundai brand constantly amazes customers and dealerships alike with the innovation and creativity in the model lineup.

Mercedes-Benz combines luxury with performance across the full line of luxury cars, sedans, SUVs, coupes, roadsters, convertibles & more.

Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz has maintained a reputation for its quality and durability. For over a century, they have pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering, creating a succession of truly iconic vehicles. Coming soon to Beachcomber the New CLA (4-door Coupe) and later in the year the New GLA Compact Premium SUV.

Mercedes Benz CLA BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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The ‘Scout-About Compact SUV’ the Daihatsu Terios fits perfectly no matter where you go. The Terios is the most practical, affordable four door 4 X4 vehicle on the market. At an amazingly low price, you cannot beat its spacious interior, fuel efficiency and ground clearance to take you on any off-road adventure.

Lexus vehicles are created with a masterful skill and attention to detail inspired as much by traditional artisanship as by state-ofthe-art engineering. This ‘pursuit of perfection’ is evident at every stage of the manufacturing process and in every Lexus vehicle made. Lexus is committed to creating the world’s finest vehicles.

From introducing numerous world-first technologies, to pushing the boundaries of performance, innovation and design, Lexus offers far more than a new look on luxury – it’s an entirely new perspective.

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The PLUS is in our SERVICE !

Happy 35th Anniversary Beachcomber wishing you all the best in the future.

Choc Commercial Park, #3 Mercury Court T: 1(758) 452-4049 / 4026 F: 1(758) 452-4029 E: paintsplus@candw.lc

New Dock Rd, V/Fort Bexon Highway Soufriere Wholesale Enquiries

1(758) 454-6640 1(758) 451-2547 1(758) 457-1003 1(758) 452-4026

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TOURISM FOCUS

T&T Joins Neighbours in Regional Cruise Ship Plan Min. Lorne Theophilus Chairs Meeting and Confirms MOU

T&T is among four countries in the region now closer to agreeing a deal that will boast cruise ship travel to their destinations.

Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia are the Caricom member states partnering with this country on the Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative aimed at boasting passenger arrivals and revenue.

The plan could take effect as early as 2015.

T&T will serve as the home port for the project based of its capacity in the areas of fuel bunkering, light manufacturing and room stock to meet the needs of potential cruise passengers. Through this partnership the regional quartet will engage the interest of major cruise lines seeking warm water destinations, proposing that a line between these territories form a new route.

At a recent meeting in Port-of-Spain chaired by Hon. Lorne Theophilus, St Lucia’s Minister of Tourism, Heritage and The Creative Industries, details of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the respective governments were hammered out.

T&T was represented by Tourism Minister Chandresh Sharma and Tracey Davidson-Celestine, Secretary for Tourism and Transportation in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

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Theophilus said: “We realised there was quite a unique consensus amongst us as to the way forward. We clarified various concerns we may have had concerning the ingredients of the MOU to go to the Cabinets of the various participating territories and moving from this, we will look at the other issues. We will have various subcommittees which will comprise the various port authorities and other partner agencies which will look into the various aspects of a project document which is going to come subsequently, which will point to the way forward, in terms of the various developments that we need to have at the government and local level so as to make this initiative work.”

He added: “We have similarity of purpose and that is what is more important. We have the desire to move this forward. What we realised is this—we can as a collective group become a stronger bargaining force within the world market.

We believe that we as a collective can better enable our countries to benefit as a product, a product which comprises more than one territory, where we can create an itinerary which enables us to move beyond what is the traditional seven day window which is associated with cruise tourism and develop a project which is beneficial to us, continuously.”

Theophilus credited former Tourism Minister Stephen Cadiz for coming up with the idea at a Caribbean Tourism Organisation Conference in New York.

He praised current Tourism Minister Chandresh Sharma for keeping the project alive, saying the minister’s enthusiasm was a key driver in the project’s success so far as he was keen on implementation of the various aspects, ensuring there are no barriers to implementation.

“I’m very happy that there is this continuity of heart, desire and intent on the part of the Ministry of Tourism even though there has been a change at the helm. So we are very comfortable, very happy and pleased to support him in whatever initiatives that he wishes to embark on for the benefit of the people of the Republic of T&T and the region in general,” Theophilus said.

“It is an idea that we believe is probably long overdue, long overdue from the perspective that the islands that are part of this discussion are islands that have always been affected adversely by what pertains to the normal practice where cruise tourism is concerned. So it is almost a no-brainer for us to come together, collaborate for the sake of doing things which are beneficial to us all.”

He said the latest survey on tourists arrivals in St Lucia showed an average visitor expenditure of around US$80-85 from a total of 700,060 visitors annually.

Theophilus said it was easy to connect the considerable returns in terms of direct expenditure from port charges and aspects that were immeasurable. “We are targeting to have this fully operational by 2015, hoping to do a presentation during the course of 2014 to the industry partners who we intend to target...so that this whole initiative can be fully operational by 2015,” he said.

Sharma said the Caribbean has become one of the preferred destinations for cruises lines in recent times and the collective effort was especially designed to maximise on that. He said the MOU was arrived at with definitive operational guidelines.

“What is instructive is that we all work together and we have a clear understanding. There will be large areas of consideration. It’s a new field for us where we go collectively. In the past, the cruise lines would come and choose the destinations. We are making ourselves attractive and we are making ourselves user friendly and as a result the ground work has been done,” Sharma said.

New Emerges as Deal Closes Merger with US Airways Creates World’s Biggest Airline

Honours Four at New York Event

L to R: Representative accepts award for Grenada Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, Earlston McPhee, the focal point for sustainable tourism development at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Puerto Rico tourism specialist Terestella González Denton, and hospitality professional Bill Clegg of Choice Hotels International.

(Roland Hyde Photo )

American Airlines has emerged from bankruptcy protection and US Airways culminated its long pursuit of a merger partner after the two completed their deal in December 2013to create the world’s biggest airline. The merger survived a challenge from the US government and criticism from consumer groups, who fear it will lead to higher prices. It’s the latest in a series of mergers that will leave four airlines controlling more than 80 per cent of the US air-travel market and with more power than ever to limit seats and boost profits.

American emerges from bankruptcy as American Airlines Group Inc. It will mark a monumental victory for CEO Doug Parker and his executive team at smaller US Airways, who convinced American’s creditors that a merger made more sense than letting American remain an independent company. Parker marked the day by ringing the opening bell on the Nasdaq Stock Market, where the new company debuted under the ticker symbol AAL. Parker’s team will spend the next two years or longer combining the two carriers.

The AA name will live on, while US Airways will join Continental, Northwest and other airlines that now exist only in the memories of employees and longtime travellers.

The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards were presented Sunday night in New York City to three Caribbean nationals and a regional vice president at Choice Hotels International.

Grenada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Dennis Antoine, received the CMEx Leadership Award 2013 on behalf of Grenada Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell while Earlston McPhee, of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Puerto Rico tourism specialist Terestella González Denton and Bill Clegg of Choice Hotels International were on hand to receive their awards at the 40/40 Club in New York City.

The event also featured the distinctive Caribbean jazz melodies of United States Virgin Islander Ryan J, who has played with jazz legends such as Ellis Marsalis and now infuses his many musical influences into a style of his own.

CMEx’s mission is to support and develop the ability of the media, government, the travel and tourism industry and communities to consider the importance of tourism in sustainable development, while lending a hand to the communities involved by sharing relevant expertise, financial and in-kind assistance.

For more visit www.cmexmedia.org.

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TOURISM FOCUS

CAPELLA HOTELS BRINGS ITS SIGNATURE BRAND OF ULTRA-LUXURY TO SAINT LUCIA ASSUMES MANAGEMENT OF CAPELLA MARIGOT BAY RESORT Capella’s First Caribbean Property Sees Introduction of Company’s Famed Service Philosophy, Exciting Guest Experiences and Property Enhancements

Capella Hotels and Resorts, the five-star luxury international hotel group with properties such as Capella Singapore and Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, assumed management of Discovery at Marigot Bay in Saint Lucia after it was acquired by an international development group in August 2013. Under the direction of Capella’s legendary hotelier Horst Schulze, the company has already started to introduce its award-winning service philosophy at the resort, which has been rebranded as Capella Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia. Enhancements are also being made to the guest rooms and suites, swimming pool, restaurants, retail and the Marina Village.

“Capella’s unparalleled service standards are based on years of operating some of the finest hotels in the world and listening to our clients who we encourage to ‘write their own story’ as to the experiences that they desire when staying at one of our properties,” said Schulze, CEO and BusinessFocus Jan / Feb

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Chairman, Capella Hotels and Resorts. “At Capella, we like to say that as long as a guest’s requests are within ethical, moral and legal confines, we will fulfill them! One of our key beliefs is connecting our guests to their surroundings, and in this instance, immersing them in the wonderful qualities

Chairman and CEO Horst Schulze

and natural wonders of Saint Lucia. We will be rolling-out unique experiences at the resort where guests will have the opportunity to explore this stunning destination to their heart’s content and leave with unforgettable memories of the wonderful people and places they meet and see here.”

Capella has already begun introducing its award-winning service philosophy at the resort which includes a team of Personal Assistants who are assigned to each guest and work around the clock to fulfill their requests.

Extraordinary amenities are a constant theme throughout every guest’s stay as Capella’s staff will astonish guests with delectable complimentary treats and gifts daily.

Capella and the resort’s ownership group are also making a significant investment in property enhancements, including revamping the Marina Village to include more local artisans, products

and businesses. The Marina Village will feature an impressive array of amenities, including an art gallery that will feature local artists and give them a platform to further promote their works to a jet setting audience, international food and beverage outlets, gourmet store and fine spirits shop, a high-end boutique and jewelry store, a ship chandlery provider, specialty dive shop and water sports facility, and other offerings.

Capella and the ownership group are actively seeking local retailers to populate the Marina Village and raise the profile of the destination’s talented residents.

For guest and yacht owner travel convenience, the Marina Village also is home to a customs and immigrations service center provided by the St. Lucia government as an international port of entry into the country. According to property management, “the Marina and the Marina Village will be one of the best of its kind in the Caribbean and draw some of the world’s top luxury and super yachts.”

Discerning travelers also will enjoy exciting opportunities for full immersion into Saint Lucian culture, cuisine and natural beauty.

Capella Marigot Bay has already started to further augment its culinary team and appointed Victor Israel Garrido as its Executive Chef. Garrido brings his

considerable culinary skills to the resort after having worked at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort. The menus will feature dishes made from the very best local ingredients and also signature items inspired by Saint Lucia’s rich food culture and heritage. With the arrival of Capella’s culinary team, Saint Lucians will now be able to enjoy world-class dining experiences at Capella Marigot Bay ideal for every occasion.

Capella has always drawn the best talent wherever their properties are located, providing a superb grounding for aspiring and seasoned hospitality professionals.

Many of Capella’s “graduates” have gone on to manage world-class hotels and restaurants around the globe. In Saint Lucia, Capella is working closely with the local community to share knowledge and incorporate Saint Lucia’s legendary hospitality and warmth into the core of Capella Marigot Bay. This combination will be an appealing draw for travelers seeking the best in the Caribbean.

Capella Marigot Bay is located alongside Marigot Bay, once described by the legendary American author James Albert Michener as “the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

For more information on Capella Hotels and Resorts visit: www.capellahotels.com.

Guyana to Establish First Hospitality Institute Plans include a new Campus and Curriculum Review

Thinking ahead: Carnegie School of Home Economics Board Chairman John Seeram and Principal Penelope Harris

Guyana’s 80-year-old Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) is set to undergo a major makeover that will result in its transformation into Guyana’s first ever Hospitality Institute within the next three years.

Chairman of the school’s Board of Directors John Seeram and its Principal Penelope Harris advised that plans are being conceptualised to implement a recommendation in a study by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to

transform the institution into a training facility that will more adequately respond to the needs of Guyana ‘s Hospitality sector which it serves.

The transformation exercise envisages the re-siting of the institution from its present location. The new site will see the creation of a modern campus capable of delivering a significantly enhanced curriculum that will meet the multifaceted training needs of the local tourism and hospitality, food and beverage, craft, culinary and other key service sectors.

The Chairman advised plans also include a comprehensive review of the curriculum and the recruitment of a cadre of qualified trainers. The CSHE, which currently falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Education, is being supported by private sector operatives through handson training at their places of business.

Seeram, a former UWI tutor who is in his fifth year as CSHE Board Chairman, advised that the plan for the transformation would require the support of both the public and private sectors and would require significant investment in equipment.

Seeram said a development plan for the creation of the institute had been prepared and is to be put before the board with an accompanying financial plan. Funding the project could require the support of multilateral financial organisations.

The CSHE currently provides training in various disciplines for around 1,200 persons annually, targeting both fulltime and part-time students. The school accommodates around 250 students at any one time with around 100 graduating in any one year.

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TOURISM FOCUS

SLHTA Launches Tourism Enhancement Fund Sanovnik Destang Elected to Head Board of Trustees The Tourism Enhancement Fund has been created to allow the SLHTA to play an integral part in the sustainable development of our destination. Through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the SLHTA will be able to direct development efforts where they are most needed.

By collecting a small voluntary fee from our visitors, the SLHTA will be able to implement and finance projects specific to ensuring that our island is enjoyable for visitors and residents alike, including the beautification of specific areas of our island.

The SLHTA, through The Tourism Enhancement Fund, will be able to erect much improved road signage across the island, finance an important study on sustainability of our industry, enter into a private-public partnership to improve our water management, aid in the reconstruction of the Rainforest Trails and many other product development projects.

There also will be strong focus on education and hands-on training initiatives for our young people to give them a better chance of finding employment in our industry. SLHTA would like to spearhead programs for our work force to achieve higher standards to be able to strengthen our island’s presence in an ever more competitive international tourism marketplace.

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This private sector initiative is welcomed by the Government of Saint Lucia in light of the many challenges we are facing as a country. Together, we recognize the importance of tourism to the livelihood of Saint Lucia’s future generations.

Resort guests and all other island visitors are asked to proudly be part of this exciting initiative and donate US$2 for each night of their stay at Resorts here in Saint Lucia which will go entirely towards our Tourism Enhancement Fund. Day visitors may contribute as well.

On Monday December 2nd, 2013 the first meeting of the SLHTA's Tourism Enhancement Fund Board of Trustees was held. The SLHTA Representatives were Mr. Noorani Azeez - Executive Vice President, Mrs. Karolin Troubetzkoy - President of the SLHTA, Mr. Sanovnik Destang Board of Director representative for HighEnd Boutique Hotels, Luxury Villas and Villas, Mr. Carl Beviere Board of Director representative for Large Hotels and Ms. Yola St. Jour, Finance & Administration Officer/Board Secretary for the SLHTA. Representing the Government were Mr. Francis Fontenelle Acting Budget Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Donovan Williams, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and the Creative Industries,

Sanovnik Destang

Mr. Sanovnik Destang was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mr. Donovan Williams, Deputy Chairman. The Meeting discussed possible initiatives to be funded and sought to streamline the management of the Fund. There were a number of suggestions on actions to grow the pool of contributors as well. The Board of Trustees will continue to meet during 2014 to hold further discussions on initiatives to be funded and review the operations of the TEF.

Travel Weekly Announce Saint Lucia is Best Caribbean Destination 2013 Readers Choice Awards

The winners of the 11th annual Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards were honored recently at a gala awards dinner and ceremony during December at the Plaza Hotel in New York.

Winners were selected in 62 categories in the airline, car, hospitality, rail, GDS, agent education, tour, cruise, destination and theme park sectors. The awards are presented to suppliers

considered by Travel Weekly readers who led the way in product and service during the past year.

This was a great reason for celebration as Saint Lucia was named “Best Destination in the Caribbean”.

Sandals Resorts International also won two awards for Best Caribbean Hotel Chain best All Inclusive Resort.

Ladera Supports Local Food Producers

PREDICTS 2014 FOOD TRENDS Dasheene restaurant located at the luxury Ladera resort in Soufriere has re-issued its commitment to provide the best in authentic Caribbean cuisine. Ladera's General Manager, Olivier Bottois, and his Saint Lucian culinary team continue to innovate and attract tourists with their "farm to fork" programme; working together with over 80 local farmers and fishermen. Bottois is a born "foodie" and passionate about cuisine. He trained in the kitchens of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, and oversaw Food & Beverage at world-class hotels with the five-star Four Seasons Hotel chain before becoming a General Manager.

“Our guests enjoy our authentic Saint Lucian experience when they come to Ladera,” he said. “Throughout their romantic stay, food plays a very important part. Visitors to Saint Lucia want to

experience local cuisine and this helps our economy; using local ingredients means our local chefs take pride and pleasure showcasing their local cuisine. You will not find berries or salmon on the menu at Ladera because they are not local products.”

Bottois admits, “to expose the team to various cooking techniques and presentations I introduced international consulting chefs to Dasheene but at the end of the day, the understanding of local products, truly comes from local people.”

Bottois’ focus has been to strengthen the hotel sector's ties with local food producers.

Bottois advised, "Amongst the top travel predictions for 2014 more people will travel to eat - they're already flying to Lima specifically for Gaston Acurio's new Peruvian cuisine. In 2014 such "foodie destinations" will be joined by other niche destinations around the world. Our obsession with authentic regional cuisine

Ladera GM Oliver Bottois

and the origins of its ingredients will grow with more travellers wanting to take local cooking classes, go with chefs to food markets, and meet farmers and fishermen.

The 2014 predictions for 2014 trends has been in place at Dasheene for decades!"

With this in mind, Bottois, who missed being involved in the kitchen, decided to team up with Dasheene’s Executive Chef, Nigel Mitchel. The creation: “The GM Lobster Burger” uses local lobster and homemade brioche and is based on the best burgers Bottois says he has, "had in his life...particularly in New York.” He wanted a burger that was decadent, softer, with less bread and more lobster using the mille-feuilles principle; a double-deck brioche, lobster salad, and of course, a touch of Saint Lucia! Chef Nigel believes the seasoning they created together is the master blend – the mix makes this Soufriere GM Lobster Burger unique, “but the presentation,” the chef admitted, “is appealing too!”

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MAJOR MOVES Delmar holds the professional banking designation of Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers (FICB); and the degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA), specialising in financial services management from Dalhousie University, Canada.

Geraldine Pitt has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the LIME Southern Cluster, comprising of Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. LIME has also appointed Jan Remmeleg, Bill McCabe and Oliver Chatten as CEO’s of the company’s Northern Cluster, Cayman Islands and Barbados businesses respectively. All four appointments are effective immediately.

A Grenadian by birth, Ms Pitt has worked in telecommunications for over 10 years, serving in the capacity of Customer Care Director and General Manager for Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines for Digicel. She joins LIME from UNICOMER (Courts) in Saint Lucia where she held the position of OECS Business Process/Special Projects Manager and Acting Senior Manager for the company’s St. Vincent & Grenadines operations.

In announcing her appointment, Martin Roos, Acting Chief Executive Officer for LIME Caribbean, said: “Geraldine, who is an accomplished senior management executive, brings to LIME extensive experience and a high level of expertise in corporate management, customer service, public relations, and team leadership.

We are confident that LIME will benefit immensely from her skills."

Due to her wealth of experience, Geraldine brings to the role of CEO her vast knowledge of the Caribbean’s telecommunications industry and processes, as well as her knowledge of the region’s market trends and customer needs.

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Andy Delmar Saint Lucia’s longest standing financial institution 1st National Bank St. Lucia Limited has appointed a new Managing Director.

Andy Delmar, a Saint Lucian with 23 years of experience in the Caribbean banking and financial services sector, took the helm on January 3, 2014.

President of 1st National Bank, Dr. Charmaine Gardner, said Delmar’s appointment comes at a time when the bank has strategically realigned its structure and operations.

According to Dr. Gardner, “It is no coincidence that in our 75th year we have selected a new Managing Director to steer our bank through this current period of exciting challenges and opportunities. This is a significant part of our proactive market strategy to preserve growth despite the highly competitive global market.”

Delmar brings to 1st National Bank a wealth of professional expertise and experience in the key areas of retail banking, sales, small business, home financing, product management, marketing and personal banking.

He has held senior regional positions with CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB), including those of director, retail banking operations; district manager, EC Islands, with responsibility for retail, wealth and small business; director of FirstCaribbean International Finance Corporation; associate director, retail sales for Barbados, Belize and EC Islands; home finance manager for the OECS, BVI and St. Maarten; product manager, marketing department; and personal banking manager, St. Lucia.

Margaret Monplaisir New Managing Director of St. Lucia Distillers Ltd. St. Lucia Distillers Ltd. has a new Managing Director. She is Margaret Monplaisir, who has been with the company for many years.

Monplaisir’s appointment took effect last November and now thrusts her into the small group of women in such a leadership role in a male-dominated rum industry across the globe.

Her somewhat meteoric rise to her current position was catalyzed in 2011 when her immediate predecessor, Laurie Barnard, fell ill. However, under her leadership, St. Lucia Distillers Ltd. Was able to continue its outstanding gains in market share. Under her leadership, too, the company was able to snag the prestigious and coveted “Best Individual Distillery Award” at the International Wine & Spirits Competition held in the United Kingdom last year.

Monplaisir previously served as General Manager of Barbay Ltd., a post to which she was appointed in 1994. Barbay Ltd. is the distribution arm of the St. Lucia Distillers Group of Companies. Her legacy in that role included transforming the company’s successes immeasurably.

She currently serves as First VicePresident of the St. Lucia Manufacturers Association (SMA).

MAJOR MOVES

NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR AT WASCO Vincent Hippolyte, former Managing Director of St. Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) is the new Managing Director of WASCO, replacing John Joseph.

Hippolyte began his career as an Economist at SLASPA before being promoted to management.

He was recently Chief Executive Officer of the Anguilla Air and Seaports Authority where he has just completed a two-year contract.

Minister for the Public Service, Sustainable Development, Science, and Technology, Dr James Fletcher says the government is pleased to welcome Hippolyte, whose appointment he says is part of the evolution of WASCO. Another important part of WASCO’s evolution Dr Fletcher says is remedying its debt situation.

Hippolyte commands an impressive resume, among his many accomplishments; he assisted in developing the Dominica Seaports Authority, which merged with the Department of Civil Aviation at the recommendation of the IMF. He says he is looking forward to bringing his years of experience to WASCO. Hippolyte has served as a Director on the Executive Board of the Organization of American States (OAS) Committee on Ports.

He also held the position of Chairman of the St Lucia Free Zone Management Authority and the Antiguan-based Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).

Jason Kycek has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing for Capella Marigot Bay Resort St Lucia. He has over 10 years of travel industry sales and marketing experience in the upscale/luxury segment.

He also has Caribbean experience, having started his career selling the Casa de Campo Resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. He is coming to St Lucia after serving as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Villa de Palmar Hotels and Resorts, responsible for 2 luxury resorts in Mexico and expanding the brand into new markets.

He previously served in the following positions: · Corporate Director of Travel Industry Sales and Marketing, KSL Resorts · Director of Travel Industry - Sales Doral Resort, Miami.

Regional Sales Manager - Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic.

National Principals Association

Dr. Cadelia Ambrose was elected President at a recent General Meeting of the National Principals Association where a new Executive was elected to manage the affairs of the organization and chart the course going forward.

The National Principal Association is an autonomous body which works in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and its bargaining body the St Lucia Teachers’ Union.

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Appoints a New Chairman Leading sports administrator, Richard Bevan, has been elected new Chairman of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), officials have disclosed.

Bevan, who has over 20 years experience working with elite level sports, is to assume the position with immediate effect.

He is the current Chief Executive of the League Managers Association (LMA) in the UK, having previously held the role of CEO at the English Professional Cricketers Association (PCA).

“I am delighted that Richard has taken on the role of Chairman of the CPL board.

Richard has huge experience in the business of sport and a track record in leading organisations through significant growth and expansion,” said Damien O’ Donohoe, CEO of The CPL. “His knowledge of international sports administration, especially in cricket, will be of huge value to The CPL as we look to build on the successes of our first year. The CPL is very honoured to have him lead the team.”

Bevan was the founding director of the Federation of International Cricketers Associations and remains a trustee of the Team England Players’ Partnership.

CPL held its inaugural season over the summer, hosting more than 250 000 fans across six countries and even drawing investment from Hollywood stars like Gerard Butler and Mark Wahlberg and the league says plans were under way for the second edition next year.

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events 2014 ST. LUCIA BUSINESS AWARDS 2014 26th January 2014 - Gaiety at Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, St. Lucia The St. Lucia Business Awards is organised by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce. They reward excellence in various categories, and target all businesses, large and small, celebrating the achievements of the private sector.

For further info: www.stluciachamber.org INTERNATIONAL POWER SUMMIT 2014 19 – 21 February, 2014 - Munich, Germany With the global expansion of utility companies and the on-going development and redevelopment of power plants Utility Companies have placed increased demands on their supply chain organisations to lower costs, improve supplier performance and increase market expertise.

IPS 2014 is the platform to reach all the key buyers and suppliers from the traditional Western and USA markets together with delegates from the new emerging markets and include areas such as Central and Eastern Europe, India, China and South East Asia plus Latin America.

For further info: www.internationalpowersummit.com 45TH CARIBBEAN HARDWARE & CONSTRUCTION TRADE SHOW 21 – 23 February, 2014 - Puerto Rico Convention Centre, San Juan This expo attracts over 3000 buyers from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean that are searching for new suppliers and products in order to increase their profits.

Retailers are represented from home centers, mass, specialty, grocers, hardware stores, wholesaler clubs and pro dealers.

Exhibitors include manufacturers of hardware and construction-related products including hand, power tools, electrical, plumbing, housewares, paint, home décor, lawn and garden For further info: www.hardwareshowpr.com MiaGREEN EXPO & CONFERENCE 2014 - 6th Edition The Green Convention of the Americas 27 – 28 February 2014 - Miami Beach Convention Centre, Miami, Florida.

The MiaGreen Expo & Conference is the only annual event in the United States providing access to the ever-growing, non-stoppable green, renewable and sustainable markets for ALL the Americas.

With its unique marketing mix (USA + Latin America & the Caribbean), MiaGreen has developed as the one-stop, all-inclusive, interactive conference and marketplace for SUSTAINABILITY, combining a major trade show with front edge extensive educational and networking programs. .

For further info: www.miagreen.com

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NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY

NATURE OF BUSINESS

DIRECTORS

Voltec Construction, Engineering & Surveying Inc.

Construction ,Engineering and Surveying Services

Wilber Joseph Sylvester Regis Roger Rajan

Membercare Inc.

To Carry on the Business of Health and Corporate Services

Jeaneen Payne Leathon Khan Eugene Payne

Technical Services Inc.

Project Management & Consultancy

Phillip James Marcus Jolie

Crowne Corporate Secretary Ltd.

Corporate Secretary Services

Kendell M Gill

F &N Properties Ltd

Property Holding Company

Nicholas Devaux Georgina Devaux

BCG Holdings Company Ltd.

Restaurant/Bar

Benjamin Gillmor Charlotte Gillmor

Technology and Business Specialist (St.Lucia) Limited

Technology Services, Consultancy and Business Solutions

Acres Adolph Stowe Persis Elizabeth Jones

Union Motors Ltd.

Vehicle Dealership

Cornelius Daniel

Realty Valuation St.Lucia Inc.

Valuation Services

Celcus Baptiste Marissa Justin

Obsidian Solutions Inc.

Debt Consultancy

Keigan Epiphane Rebecca Dusauzay

Choice Boutique Inc.

To Carry on the Business of Retailing and Merchandising

Souheil Wassouf Souha-Attalla -Wassouf

Negoce International Investment Inc.

The Development of Housing and Property

Frank Guy Gabriel Millet Nigel Andrew Mark Mitchel

ERA Real Estate Professionals Incorporated

Selling and Rental of Properties

Jenny Marcella Constantine Marilyn Haynes Andre Cherebin

Natrapure Water Company Ltd.

Water Manufacturing

Kevin Ross Glen Joseph Gordon Alcindore Camilus Plummer

Purity Bakery Ltd.

Food Manufacturer

Andie Wilkie

Island Greens Inc.

Golfing Activities

Christopher Taylor Bethany Ann Taylor

Iyanola Pictures Inc.

To Carry on the Business of Film Production, Artistic and Other Literary Works and Production, Playwriting and Production

Mathurine Emmanuel Nadia Tamara St. Ange Vincent Emmanuel Youth Enterprise Equity Fund

Raan Investments Company ltd.

Property Development

Andie Gregor George

John & John Corporate Services Ltd.

Filing and Preparing Documents

Maureen John -Xavier Ferguson John

Corporate Director Inc.

Providing Corporate and Secretarial Services for Companies

Maureen John -Xavier Ferguson John

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NEW COMPANY REGISTRATIONS COMPANY

NATURE OF BUSINESS

DIRECTORS

Dispute Resolution Association Inc.

Company of Dispute Resolution Experts

IShan Greer Egbert Louis Ronald Gardner Ann-Marie Joseph Gabrianna Jolie Mandish Singh Tedburt Theobalds

Sleek Caribbean Ltd.

Media Company focus on Luxury Lifestyle

Next Media Productions Ltd.

Muskateers of the Caribbean Inc.

Property Investment and development

Kaushalkumar Batukbhai,Chudasama Kenneth Louis

ACP Legal (Eastern Caribbean) Inc.

To Promote and Co-ordinate and Develop the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in the Caribbean(OHDAC) Project

Keats Compton Terrence L. Elliott Renuya B. Morris

Antilles Corporation

To Act as Consultants and to Engage in Property Holding and Development and to Undertake or Direct the Management of the Property, Buildings or Lands of Any Person Whether Members of the Company or Not in the Capacity of Steward. Receiver or Real Estate Agent or Otherwise.

Calvin George

FERNWEH LTD.

Property holding company

Nicholas Pinnock

MOZ Inc.

Training, Project Management, Management Consulting

Betty C. Combie Mc Orville S.O Combie

Coles Tyres Services Ltd.

Property Management

Constantine Cole Nina M. Guandolo

First 4 Sail Inc.

Sailing Activities

Benjamen Thompson Victoria Page

Informs Ltd.

Offering of Intelligent Forms Via the Internet

Wilbertha Jannette King Andrej Bostjan Makarovic

LED Unlimited Ltd.

Sales and Installation of LED Lighting Fixtures

John C. Francis Agnes Francis

Sannehoej Investments Ltd.

Real Estate Investment

Ausbert D’Auvergne

Soheila Inc.

Consultancy Company

Christopher Alexander Bota

St.Lucia Juice Company Ltd.

Manufacturing and Distribution of Juices and Products

Wayne Girard

BNI Inc.

Holding Company

Neil Beepat Brain Beepat

TRANSCO Ltd.

Electronic Payment System

Kim Iemanja Rose Smith

Kenor International Health and Wellness Resort Inc.

Health & Wellness Resort

Dr. Keny Francois Bastien

Island People Inc.

Wholesale and Retail of Ladies Fashion Wear

Kent Glace Sophia Betts

June’s Beauty Supplies Ltd.

Retail of Beauty Supplies and Accidentals Thereof

Marguerite Louis

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